Education at Illinois Maintains Strong Enrollment for Fall 2026

Education welcomes 1,840 students this fall, though the complete academic year enrollment figure is projected to be higher because of year-round admissions cycles for online programs. Enrollment trend data show the College's total student numbers—all undergraduate, on- and off-campus graduate, and online students—has improved by 30 percent over the last 10 years.

Perhaps most impressively, the number of first-generation students in the College of Education students has increased by 198% since 2016. Additionally, students who report being from an underrepresented population have risen by 53% over the past decade.

“Sustaining enrollment at this level reflects the foundational, societal significance of the fields we teach in Education,” says Dean Chrystalla Mouza. “Students understand that their collegiate experience with Education at Illinois includes limitless opportunities to prepare them to lead in any context. We are thrilled to welcome our newest students and support them along their academic journey.”

Undergraduate Numbers Continue to Climb

With another large class of 219 first-year students, the College of Education’s undergraduate population is at its highest level in over three decades, at 836 total students. This trend is bolstered by continued demand within new majors, including Computer Science + Education and Secondary Education: Mathematics, which saw a 19% year-over-year increase in undergraduate enrollment.

The Department of Special Education is also showing strong gains in bachelor's degree students. With 109 undergraduates, the major now boasts its highest enrollment since 2020.

"We have already witnessed the remarkable energy, passion and enthusiasm this new group of students brings to the College of Education," says Curtis Mason, associate dean for undergraduate programs. "Arriving from across Illinois and beyond, these outstanding students have accomplished so much to get here. Our faculty and staff recognize their hard work and dedication, and we are committed to building on that momentum by partnering with them to support their academic and career goals.”

Underrepresented and first-generation student populations remained a robust segment of the College's undergraduate population, with each making up around 30% of the student population this year.

Graduate Students Connecting with Innovative Programs

Growth in the College's graduate student ranks is most apparent within Education's newest program offerings.  The Department of Curriculum and Instruction's Trauma-Informed Practice and Pedagogy program graduate student enrollment has exploded by more than 700% since launching in 2024. Enrollment in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership's Instructional Design, Technology, & Organization program has more than tripled over the same time period.

"The growth in these areas, and others, reflects the College of Education’s expert focus on offering programs that meet the evolving needs of today’s educators, schools and organizations," says Karla Möller, associate dean for graduate programs.

Truly an international leader in education, Education at Illinois continues to draw students from communities across the state and around the world. Across all programs, Education students represent 99 of Illinois' 102 counties. Plus, our students come from 41 U.S. states plus the territory of Puerto Rico and our international students hail from an additional 38 countries.

University Breaks Previous Year's Enrollment Records

Excellent enrollment in the College of Education in 2026 tracks with the campus as a whole, which now has more than 61,000 total students enrolled. Illinois again tallied its highest-ever first-year class with 9,332 students.

For more about 2026 student enrollment, view this story from the U. of I. News Bureau...