URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois recorded another record-breaking fall semester in terms of enrollment.

The university released its yearly enrollment report on Wednesday morning, following the conclusion of the first ten days of classes. This report highlights a new record for the size of the freshman class, which totals 9,207 students—up from 9,008 the previous year. This group, alongside all other undergraduates, graduate students, and those enrolled online, marks a significant milestone for the university.

Total enrollment is at 60,848 students, marking the first time the university has enrolled 60,000 or more students.

“These driven and ambitious students acknowledge that Illinois is ideally placed as an institution with a history of academic excellence, innovative research opportunities, and real-world impacts,” stated Chancellor Charles Isbell. “We are dedicated to fulfilling that promise by supporting students from their arrival through to graduation and beyond, no matter where their life paths lead.”

Out of the roughly 9,200 freshmen, the university reported that 6,587, or 72%, are from the State of Illinois. These students come from 87 of the state’s 102 counties and more than 2,000 high schools throughout the state.

“While our university’s influence is felt globally, we are primarily an institution rooted in Illinois, aimed at enhancing the lives of its families and residents,” Isbell continued. “This incoming class is joining us in Champaign-Urbana from across the state, beginning their journeys to become Illinois’s future leaders.”

The university also noted that 1,410 freshmen are international students hailing from 62 countries, including 14 countries that were not represented among last year’s student body.

The freshman class includes 1,399 students who self-identify as Hispanic, 569 who identify as African-American, 28 as Native American/Alaska Native, and 13 as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

More than one in five freshmen are first-generation students, and around the same number of freshmen qualified for a fee hardship waiver, as they come from low-income households.

“Illinois is committed to creating as much opportunity for as many as we can,” said Provost John Coleman. “As a former first-generation college student, I know firsthand how transformative access to higher education can be — for individuals, families, and communities. We are dedicated to ensuring first-gen students and those who are federal Pell Grant recipients feel supported, achieve success, and contribute their unique perspectives to a community built on finding your place and pursuing excellence — our hope for all at Illinois.”

The new freshman class has an average ACT score of 32.3 (compared to 32.1 in 2024) and an average SAT score of 1442 (1440 in 2024).

In addition, the university welcomed 1,682 transfer students, with 61% coming from Illinois community colleges. First-generation students make up 26% of transfers, and the new transfer class includes 25% from an underrepresented group, a number slightly up from last year.

Also up was the total number of applications. The university said this admissions cycle included 83,045, up by 9.300 from last year (73,742).

The university’s preliminary undergraduate retention rate was also found to be 94%, compared to the national average of 78% for all public universities. The six-year graduation rate is 85%, with a national average of 64% for public universities, and 90% of graduates found a job or enrolled in a graduate or volunteer program within six months of graduating.