External factors such as demographic changes and uncertainty with the state government budget have created greater uncertainty in the higher education industry in Illinois. In the midst of this unpredictable climate, DePaul’s fall enrollment outcomes were positive in many ways.
The 23,110 students enrolling this fall are 99.6 percent of the budgeted target. The university generated $225.8 million in tuition revenue, the most in university history and $3.4 million more than last year. The 8,316 students of color are a DePaul record.
“As a mission-driven institution that is highly dependent on tuition revenue to finance its operations, these outcomes are important,” explains David Kalsbeek, senior vice president of Enrollment Management and Marketing. “In the face of intensifying competition and stagnating family incomes, DePaul has been able to offer an accessible and affordable education that resonates in the market.”
Offered below are additional highlights from the final enrollment data for fall quarter based on the Sept. 24, 2016, census.
New Student Enrollment
- The freshman class is 2,459 students, 41 less than the budgeted goal of 2,500. Demand remained strong as applications for admission were the highest ever at DePaul, but yield rates declined more than anticipated in response to increased competition and competitor discounting. The academic profile of the class is comparable to last year; the average high school GPA is 3.55 and the average ACT 25.3. The class’ diverse makeup is another highlight. Students of color comprise 38 percent of the class, first-generation students 32 percent and out-of-state students 40 percent.
- Transfer enrollment of 1,222 is 13 percent less (178 students) than the budgeted target. DePaul’s market share for community college transfers has been increasing and is the highest among Illinois private institutions, but pre-transfer enrollment at the community colleges has decreased significantly in recent years.
- SNL’s new undergraduate student enrollment of 174 is 14 percent over budget (22 students).
- New graduate enrollment of 1,778 students is 2 percent above the budgeted target. Credit hours by new graduate students are 15 percent over budget. The Corporate Employer Outreach (CEO) initiative has been instrumental this year in meeting budgeted targets in graduate, adult and professional programs.
- The College of Law enrolls 321 new students, 51 (or 19 percent) more than budgeted and 43 (or 15 percent) more than last year.
Overall Enrollment
- Total university enrollment is 23,110 students, nearly equal to the budgeted goal of 23,194. Credit hours are 287,424, which is 99.5 percent of budgeted projections.
- Undergraduate enrollment is 15,407 students, about 2 percent (or 333 students) under this year’s budgeted goal of 15,740.
- Graduate enrollment of 6,897 students is 3 percent (or 180 students) over budget and 1 percent over last year. This is the first year-over-year increase since graduate enrollment peaked in 2010.
- Law enrollment stands at 806 students, about 9 percent over budget and nearly 4 percent greater than last year.
Racial/Ethnic Diversity
- DePaul’s student profile is more diverse than ever. This fall, 8,316 of the students enrolled (36 percent) are students of color—the highest number of students of color and the highest proportion in DePaul’s history.
- Students of color account for 39 percent of undergraduate enrollment, 30 percent of graduate enrollment and 27 percent of law enrollment.
Online Enrollment
- Online hours account for 11 percent of all credit hours registered. The 30,946 online learning credits are a university record and an 8 percent increase over last year.
All this information—and more—can be found in DePaul’s
annual enrollment summary publication, which was mailed to all full-time faculty and staff in December. If you are interested in obtaining a quantity of booklets, contact
Brady Johnson, divisional communications director for EMM.