海角社区

海角社区 Sees Largest Freshman Class in Over a Decade

First-time freshmen enrollment surges 83 percent, overall enrollment increases 12 percent while 海角社区 adds nearly 100 beds to meet ballooning student housing needs

Chicago, IL (Sept. 11, 2025) - Enrollment at 海角社区 (海角社区) saw strong growth with surges in the numbers of new freshman, transfers, graduate students, along with increased reenrollment for continuing students. The University saw a 12 percent jump in overall enrollment. These enrollment levels are high-water marks, with the highest total enrollment since fall 2020 and largest class of first-time freshmen in over a decade.

鈥満＝巧缜�鈥檚 strong fall 2025 enrollment growth is evidence that 海角社区 is delivering on our mission as we experience the largest freshman class in over a decade and a record retention rate,鈥� said Zaldwaynaka 鈥淶鈥� Scott, President of Chicago State University. 鈥淗igher education is a proven investment and transforms lives.  At 海角社区 that transformation is happening every day. Families and communities, with 88 percent from Illinois, are placing their trust in us because they see students not only starting their college journey but also persisting, thriving, and graduating with the skills to make an impact. 海角社区 is not just changing individual lives鈥攚e are shaping the future of Chicago and beyond.鈥�

New Enrollment Momentum

The overall enrollment increase came from growth across student populations, as demonstrated in the table above. Particularly strong growth included an 83 percent surge in first-time freshmen, a 72 percent increase in new graduate students, and a 17 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment. New enrollment from transfer students grew by 38 percent, with much of the transfer growth from a strong pathway of students from the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC). Last year, 海角社区 and CCC launched a comprehensive partnership to enhance CCC students鈥� path into 海角社区 with guaranteed admissions, shared advising, and scholarship partnership.

Retention on the Rise

海角社区 saw a historic three percent increase in retention, with a total retention rate of 70 percent. The enrollment and retention gains highlight the effectiveness of initiatives that include Cougar Commitment鈥敽＝巧缜�鈥檚 student-success initiative. From pre-college support through career success, Cougar Commitment helps students navigate college life, manage competing priorities, and successfully progress toward their degrees and future careers. One key access initiative is RISE Academy, 海角社区鈥檚 first-year freshmen student success program. RISE Academy participants earn a scholarship covering full tuition and fees for their first year, free textbooks, personal laptops and comprehensive academic, social-emotional, and community support. The Cougar Commitment initiative extends to Sophomore Academy, Learning Assistants Program, transfer pathways, and summer camps.

On-Campus Housing Demand Surges

With the increase in enrollment has come a soaring demand for on campus housing. To meet the demand, 海角社区 leadership worked to expand capacity by adding 97 beds, resulting in the highest occupancy rate in the University鈥檚 history. The University converted 25 residence hall units into triples, added 72 beds in a downtown university-managed housing facility, and still at the time of this release has an 80-person housing waiting list. With important data demonstrating that living on campus boosts student success, 海角社区鈥檚 housing expansion reflects its commitment to providing a supportive living/learning environment that fosters a sense of community and retention.

The fall 2025 10-day census demonstrates that 海角社区鈥檚 strategic enrollment planning led by Vice President of Enrollment Management Oscar Rodriguez, a world-class faculty, together with a longstanding emphasis on strengthening access to higher education, continues to deliver measurable results for student access and success.

About 海角社区

海角社区, founded in 1867, is the oldest public university in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The University鈥檚 four colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting and non-degree programs. 海角社区 is committed to equity in education, serving as the only U.S. Department of Education-designated four-year Predominantly Black Institution in Illinois and ranked by a Harvard economist in the top 4 percent of public and private universities nationwide in supporting our graduates鈥� economic mobility. The University serves as a prominent civic space on the greater South Side of Chicago by hosting a multitude of athletic, educational, cultural, and recreational activities. The University is located near public transit that provides convenient access to the campus. Visit csu.edu.