In 2014, just 42% of Illinois students admitted to the University of Illinois (UI) flagship campus chose to attend – a record low.

In-state enrollment had been steadily declining – down to 4,974, compared to 6,385 in 2006.

The following year, the UI Board of Trustees froze tuition.

And then they kept it frozen in six of the past seven years – even as they faced significant financial uncertainty during a 2-year state budget impasse.

Fast forward to today...

The University of Illinois is still breaking enrollment records. Only this year, they did so by welcoming the largest freshman class ever to their flagship campus.

Since 2015 – the same year as the initial tuition freeze – system-wide enrollment has increased 18%. ‍

In our third case study of the Governing Board Best Practices on College Affordability project – How to Survive – and Thrive – Without Raising Tuition – learn how the University of Illinois Board of Trustees centered their public mission around affordability, using tuition freezes and data transparency to boost enrollment and make smarter financial decisions in fulfilling their public mission.

The study also highlights innovative approaches taken at one of the system’s universities  – the University of Illinois Chicago – to generate a diversified revenue base during a tuition freeze.