USF N EWS
USF’s New Student Registrations Up 10 Percent in 2018 Bucking the trend of lower college enroll-
ments across Illinois, the University of
families at college nights, talking to more
opportunities. USF students have personal
St. Francis grew by two percent on strong
counselors, hosting more on-campus events,
learning experiences in small classes, averaging
new student enrollment.
and being very clear about how much value
just 13 students per class. Our students and
we offer to our students,” said Eric Ruiz, director
alumni tell us, again and again, how important it
competition from out-of-state schools, and
of undergraduate admissions.
is to be treated as a person, as someone who
state budget woes have created a challenging
matters,” Ruiz said.
environment for enrollment staffs at public
beginning of the fall semester grew to
and private universities.
2,934 students enrolled in 30,395 credit hours.
internships and learning experiences in nearby
Fewer high school graduates, strong
“We are reaching out to more students and
Total enrollment for the university at the
“We are a small school that offers enormous
Located in Joliet, USF offers access to
This represents a two-percent increase in
Chicago, and through a growing list of interna-
percent this fall across undergraduate,
enrollment, up from 2,872 students taking
tional study abroad options.
transfer, and graduate programs. Applications
29,349 credit hours in fall of 2017.
USF saw new student registrations jump ten
to USF grew 14.7% over the previous year.
“The university offers a mix of on-campus
and online bachelor’s, master’s, certificate and doctoral programs that meet the needs of busy working adults,” said Sandee Sloka, director of graduate admissions.
“Our graduate programs in nursing and
business are very popular because we have so many great degree options, changing for what people want and need. Our education and social work programs are some of the best in the Midwest, let alone Illinois, so we are marketing these widely,” Sloka said.
The university has also had a run of
recognitions and high rankings from national education publications like U.S. News & World Report, Money magazine, the Princeton Review and others. Most recently, U.S. News & World report honored USF’s adult undergraduate bachelor’s programs and graduate education, nursing and business programs— including the MBA—in its “Best Online Programs” ranking.
“Since its founding in 1920, the university
has graduated tens of thousands of wellprepared nurses, teachers, business leaders and educated citizens who live and work in your communities. Our impact will continue to grow as the university grows,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson said.
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Engaging Mind & Spirit Magazine
