Released - August 19, 2010
Eureka College Welcomes Largest Incoming Class
295 new students welcomed to campus
Eureka College will welcome a record number of new students when classes begin next week.
Approximately 295 new students have enrolled for the 2010-2011 academic year that begins Aug. 25, according to Brian Sajko, Vice President for Admissions, Communications, and Integrated Marketing. The number includes approximately 170 freshmen, 115 new transfer students and nine new students in the organizational leadership degree weekend program. The previous high was 254 in fall 2008.
“Eureka College’s growth is so rewarding, not just because we have come so far in such a short time, but because the Eureka College community embraces our consistent growth in quality while living our "Exceptional Not Expensive" motto,” Sajko said. “Students and families are proud to come here because the EC heritage is steeped in accessibility and affordability. We are a college of choice in Illinois, and we are humbled by that.”
For the fifth consecutive year, overall enrollment is expected to reach a record high – near 780. The college has seen enrollment growth of almost 60 percent since fall 2003 when enrollment stood at less than 500.
“That kind of growth, especially under these economic conditions, has been phenomenal,” Sajko said. “Obviously, prospective students and families see our value.”
In fact, U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Eureka College first in Illinois and second among Midwestern regional colleges from which students graduate with the least debt, Sajko said.
The enrollment growth is linked to the introduction of the Eureka Idea in spring 2004, which lowered tuition while adding transparency to the financial aid process. Tuition and fees for students entering the college this fall is $18,045, and combined with college-sponsored merit scholarships, the cost is comparable to a state university, Sajko said.
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Contact:
Michele Lehman
Media Relations Coordinator
mlehman@eureka.edu
(309) 467-6318
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