Illinois State Enrollment Up, But Some Schools Face Declines

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Illinois State University says its fall enrollment is up and the school has its largest freshman class in decades.

The announcement comes as some state universities brace for the possibility of enrollment declines due to Illinois' budget crisis and a lack of state university funding.

Illinois State said Tuesday that the 21,039 students on campus is a 1.1 percent increase over a year ago. The 3,638 freshmen is the largest incoming class in 27 years.

But Southern Illinois University said Tuesday that its enrollment is down 7.5 percent to 15,987.

SIU was one of at least four Illinois public universities bracing for potential declines.

The state went most of last school year without providing money for universities before agreeing to partial funding. Some schools reported declining applications as a result.