DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — This year’s freshman class at Millikin University in Decatur was the largest class in years, university administrators said.

According to a news release, the incoming Class of 2029 comprises 545 students, marking a 17% increase from the previous fall and representing the largest freshman intake since 2020.

“Welcoming our largest cohort of new students in five years is an extraordinary achievement, and this record-breaking freshman class highlights the incredible outcomes possible when our university collaborates to highlight our strengths,” stated Millikin President Dean Pribbenow. “This milestone is even more significant given the competitive nature of private higher education and the fact that Illinois is the second-largest exporter of college-bound students in the United States. Our perseverance, ingenuity, and dedication to student success have led us here, and we must continue to build on this foundation to ensure Millikin’s future remains promising.”

Furthermore, the university saw the most significant number of transfer students in a decade, with 132 individuals choosing to continue their education in Decatur.

The arrival of these transfer students was attributed to the establishment of articulation and transfer agreements with several Central Illinois Community Colleges.

“Having the largest class in five years is both thrilling and humbling, and we take great pride in achieving such growth in both our first-year and transfer student populations,” noted Molly Berry, Executive Director of Admission. “It indicates that students and families recognize the quality of our academic offerings and the value of the experiences we provide. We are eager to engage with future students and ensure that this success is just the start.”

The new class is diverse, with students from 30 states, 74% coming from Illinois, and 31% from Macon County. Nursing, business, musical theatre, elementary education, and criminal justice are the most popular fields of study, with 48% of the class being student-athletes.