University News

Spring 2022 Enrollment: International, Graduate Enrollment Continues to Climb

February 7, 2022

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Things continue to look up at Western Illinois University, including enrollment.

Overall enrollment at WIU has increased, according to Vice President for Enrollment Management Amber Schultz. The University's Spring 2022 total enrollment is 6,980 (6,965, Spring 2021). In addition to the increase in international students, the University has seen an influx of 369 new graduate students this spring, bringing the total Spring '22 graduate student enrollment to 2,117.

Spring 2022 international student enrollment at WIU is now at 818, with 247 new students enrolling this spring and 571 returning, for an increase of 160 over Fall 2021. Last semester, WIU saw its largest enrollment in international students since 1987, with 424 new students enrolling and 234 returning, for a total of 658 international students. The previous peak 35 years ago saw 547 international students at Western.

"I would like to commend, and offer my thanks to, Executive Director for Global Studies Dr. Randy Glean, Dr. Amber Schultz, Executive Director of Retention Initiatives Justin Schuch, the School of Graduate Studies and our admissions, enrollment management, retention and marketing staff, along with many of our faculty, staff, students and alumni who have been focused on, and assisted with, recruitment and retention programs, services and initiatives. Each of you makes a difference," said WIU President Guiyou Huang. "We will continue to make strides in achieving our recruitment and enrollment goals, as well as increasing student retention. Once students enroll at WIU, they have the resources and support to succeed and that is because we have so many people here who care, and who will listen and help."

Forty-four new freshmen have enrolled for Spring 2022 (44, Spring 2021), and 192 new transfer students have joined WIU (218, Spring 2021). In spite of the pandemic and other challenges facing college students across the nation, including Western, fall-to-spring retention of new, full-time freshmen remains stable at 88.4 percent, Schultz added.

"The enrollment increases in graduate programs and international students help all of our programs at WIU," Schultz noted. "We greatly appreciate the efforts of our University community in ensuring a positive experience for our prospective, and current, students."

Fall 2022 recruitment efforts, which kicked off last year, continue in full force, Schultz noted. Admissions and enrollment management staff are working with prospective students, parents and guardians and providing ongoing outreach efforts to high schools and community colleges. Spring Discover Western programs have been set (visit wiu.edu/discoverwestern to register), with the first scheduled for Feb. 21. Students can also visit WIU's campuses for a personal tour, as well as take part in a virtual visit or self-guided tour (wiu.edu/visit).

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing