Sept. 18, 2018 | Joliet, Ill.
Bucking the trend of lower college enrollments across Illinois, the University of St. Francis grew by two percent on strong new student enrollment.
Fewer high school graduates, strong competition from out-of-state schools, and state budget woes have created a challenging environment for enrollment staffs at public and private universities.
USF saw new student registrations jump ten percent this fall across undergraduate, transfer, and graduate programs. Applications to USF grew 14.7% over last year.
“We are reaching out to more students and families at college nights, talking to more counselors, hosting more on-campus events, and being very clear about how much value we offer to our students,” said Eric Ruiz, director of undergraduate admissions.
Total enrollment for the university at the beginning of the fall semester grew to 2,934 students enrolled in 30,395 credit hours. This represents a two-percent increase in enrollment, up from 2,872 students taking 29,349 credit hours in fall of 2017.
“We are a small school that offers enormous opportunities. USF students have personal learning experiences in small classes, averaging just 13 students per class. Our students and alumni tell us, again and again, how important it is to be treated as a person, as someone who matters,” Ruiz said.
Located in Joliet, USF offers access to internships and learning experiences in nearby Chicago, and through growing list of international study abroad options.
“The university offers a mix of on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s, certificate, and doctoral programs that meet the needs of busy working adults,” said Sandee Sloka, director of graduate admissions.
“Our graduate programs in Nursing and Business are very popular because we have so many great degree options, changing for what people want and need. Our Education and Social Work programs are some of the best in the Midwest, let alone Illinois, so we are marketing these widely,” Sloka said.
This university has also had a run of recognitions and high rankings from national education publications like U.S. News & World Report, Money magazine, the Princeton Review and others.
“Since our founding in 1920, the university has graduated tens of thousands of well-prepared nurses, teachers, business leaders, and educated citizens who live and work in your communities. Our impact will continue to grow as the university grows,” USF’s President Arvid C. Johnson said.
The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves 4,100 students nationwide, offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 49,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu. University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.