Lincoln College has record-breaking enrollment year
Overall student enrollment up 12 percent

 

[August 31, 2019] 

Lincoln College has achieved a record-breaking traditional student enrollment year for 2019 at the Lincoln campus, with a 12% increase from 2018. Due to new enrollment strategies and retention initiatives, on-campus residence halls have reached maximum capacity and a total enrollment over 750 students, Lincoln College President David Gerlach announced.

Lincoln College is also welcoming the largest incoming class in ten years, 397 students, 322 are first-time college freshman, a 17% increase from 2018.

Also, with the implementation of the new International Student Exchange Program, international student enrollments are three times higher than in 2018, representing 19 different countries. Incoming students from China characterized the largest group of incoming international students.

Local high school students are also choosing to start their college careers early at Lincoln College, with 54 students enrolled in dual-credit courses at Lincoln College from Lincoln Community High School and other area schools. “The fact that so many local students and their parents are choosing Lincoln College is a tremendous vote of confidence in our ability to provide a quality, affordable college education close to home,” Gerlach said.

Students transferring to Lincoln College from other institutions have also remained steady the last several years. President Gerlach said, “Transfer students are an important and significant part of our campus community and our commitment to transfer student education sets the standard for private, residential institutions.”

About 266 students have enrolled in Lincoln College’s adult ABE (Accelerated Bridge to Education program), which hosts campuses in Normal, Peoria, Oglesby and Lincoln. The Peoria and Lincoln locations achieved record high enrollment this fall.

Lincoln College remains on track in its plan to return to its historical roots. In the last year, the College added a Bachelor of Arts in Law degree to their other bachelor degree program options, while still giving students the option to complete a two-year associate degree. Furthermore, for the first time since 1919, Lincoln College is offering master’s degrees. Students can now choose from a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree.

“We are one of the most affordable private colleges in Illinois and, in fact, we are competitive on price with most public universities in the state,” Gerlach said. “Students and their parents are discovering what a great value Lincoln College offers and as we grow our programs, I am confident we will continue to attract and retain students.”

The four-year format also opened the door to new opportunities in athletics, as Lincoln College is now competitive in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The transition allows Lincoln College student athletes to compete for a full four years. Furthermore, Lincoln College added men’s and women’s bowling and eSports to its list of athletic program opportunities in 2019.

“Lincoln College has an annual $41 million impact on the local economy. As Lincoln College grows it means new options for area students, new opportunities for local businesses, and more investment in the community,” Gerlach added.

[Lauren Grenlund
Director of Public Relations
Lincoln College]