Enrollment at Northern Illinois University grew this fall, with surges in the numbers of new freshmen and transfers, along with strong reenrollment for continuing students, powering an overall increase of 663 Huskies.
The university welcomed 2,435 new freshmen, a 22% jump over last fall and the second largest freshman class since 2014. Total university enrollment on the 10th day of classes reached 16,078, an increase of 4.3% over fall 2024.
“NIU’s enrollment momentum comes from students connecting to what matters most: excellent academic programs with proven career outcomes; a community where they feel they belong; and life-changing opportunities inside and outside the classroom,” NIU President Lisa C. Freeman said. “That combination is why more students are choosing to be Huskies.”
8 of every 10 receive merit scholarships
More than half of the new freshman Huskies are first-generation college students. What’s more, the freshman class enters with impressive academic credentials. Eight of every 10 freshmen received a merit scholarship, which NIU awards based on a student’s high school GPA.
The average high school GPA for freshman Huskies is 3.42, tying a record high set in 2022 and again in 2023; 18% of this year’s freshmen had stellar 4.0 high school GPAs, with each earning a merit scholarship of $7,000. Similarly, new freshmen with high school GPAs of 3.7 or higher represented 37% of the 2025 class.
The university, which was recently recognized nationally for its commitment to students coming from community colleges, enrolled 1,622 new transfers, a year-over-year increase of 11% and the largest class of new transfers in eight years.
By the numbers
Fall 2025 NIU Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 16,078 — 4%
- New Freshmen: 2,435 — 22%
2nd largest class in a decade - New Transfers: 1,622 — 11%
3rd consecutive year of increases - First-Gen College Students:
54% of new freshmen - Average HSGPA of Freshmen: 3.42
Ties highest on record - On-Campus Housing: 4,477
Highest occupancy in a decade
Total enrollment outcomes by NIU college:
- College of Business increased by 4%
- College of Education increased by 3%
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology increased by 10%
- College of Health and Human Sciences increased by 8%
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences increased by 4%
- College of Visual and Performing Arts increased by 2%
HSI designation
For the first time in its history, NIU is now recognized as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with Hispanic students representing more than one-quarter of the total undergraduate full-time equivalent population for three consecutive years.
The designation reflects NIU’s commitment to fostering access and success for all students.
“Being designated an HSI affirms NIU’s commitment to access, affordability, social mobility and our longstanding tradition of matching talent with opportunity,” said Carol Sumner, NIU’s vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer.
“This recognition opens doors to new opportunities and partnerships that will further strengthen advising, student support and academic programs, benefiting all students—Hispanic, African American, Asian, Native American, rural, first-generation, low-income, Pell eligible, transfer and returning learners.”
Continued re-enrollment success
An important contributor to NIU’s growing student population is reenrollment of continuing students. The reenrollment rate of first-time, full-time freshmen is the highest in five years; the combined reenrollment rate for freshmen, transfers and continuing students is the highest in over 25 years of record-keeping.
“Strong re-enrollment signals that our vast support system to ensure student success—which includes tutoring, coaching, mentoring, writing assistance, community building, leadership development, financial assistance and career-preparation services—is helping our students succeed,” Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper said. “Our university is committed to investing our time, energy and resources into helping our students achieve their goals in college and beyond.”
More students are choosing NIU
Year-over-year total enrollment increased in all seven NIU colleges. Among the colleges, a particular bright spot this fall is the NIU Law School, which grew by 4% to its largest enrollment ever with 352 students.
Additionally, the Rockford Promise Program at NIU, a partnership guaranteeing tuition and general fee costs for up to four years at NIU, welcomed 140 new freshman scholars—its largest class ever. The program, which is recognized nationally for innovation, also enrolled its first transfers from Rock Valley College and now has a total enrollment of 408 NIU Rockford Promise scholars.
“We’re grateful for the efforts of our entire Huskie community,” said Sol Jensen, NIU vice president for Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications.
“With strong academic programs, substantial financial support—including generous merit scholarships—and a wealth of resources dedicated to student success, NIU continues to gain recognition from students and parents as a leading choice for educational excellence, affordability and an enriching college experience,” he added.
