Increasing Enrollment at SIU-Carbondale: A Success Story

Monitored Enrollment Trends and Made Data-Driven Decisions

As a university leader, I constantly monitor higher education enrollment trends at my university and across the state and nation. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, we recently reported our fall enrollment, and for the second year in a row, it increased. In fact, it is the largest increase for the university in 33 years.

Key Factors Contributing to the Enrollment Increase

There are a few answers to this question. First, SIU Carbondale has focused heavily on local recruitment. The out-migration of students has been a challenge for Illinois universities, so there was an opportunity to focus on strategies to decrease that out-migration, including outreach to local school superintendents, principals, and high school counselors, and partnerships with schools and youth organizations. These efforts have worked. We have seen a 10% increase in new students from Illinois.

Focusing on Affordability

Second, we have built stronger relationships with community colleges to improve the ease with which students can transition to universities. One such program is SIU Saluki Step Ahead, which allows students from 50 community colleges in Illinois and beyond to complete an SIU degree at an affordable price without leaving their community college location. Since this is a new program, its impact is likely to increase over time.

Raising the Bar on Institutional Scholarships

Third, as with Saluki Step Ahead, we have focused on affordability. This has included reducing the net cost for students through institutional scholarships and record support from the SIU Foundation. In addition, we have expanded the number of students who are eligible for the Saluki Commitment, which offers some students the opportunity to attend college tuition-free. When it started in 2021, it was for students from families with incomes under $63,575 and less than $50,000 in assets, based on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid form). It is now available for families with incomes under $103,040 and less than $50,000 in assets.

State Support Crucial to Success

Fourth, it is important to emphasize that the state’s increased financial commitment has been critical to our success. While enrollment was declining for Illinois public four-year institutions even prior to the state budget impasse of 2015-2017, those years in particular saw the enrollment decline increase even more rapidly. Students and their families were more reluctant to choose Illinois universities when there was not state support. That has changed in the last few years, as we have received more support, both in direct appropriation and student aid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SIU Carbondale’s focus on local recruitment, affordability, and state support have all contributed to the significant increase in enrollment we have seen. We believe that these strategies will continue to pay dividends in the years to come.

FAQs

Q: What is the main driver of the enrollment increase at SIU Carbondale?
A: The combination of local recruitment, affordability, and state support are all contributing factors to the enrollment increase.

Q: How has SIU Carbondale focused on affordability?
A: We have reduced the net cost for students through institutional scholarships, record support from the SIU Foundation, and the Saluki Commitment program, which offers some students the opportunity to attend college tuition-free.

Q: How has the state’s increased financial commitment impacted enrollment at SIU Carbondale?
A: The increased financial commitment from the state has been critical to our success, as it has allowed us to offer more scholarships and support to our students.