EIU sees 7 percent enrollment increase this spring semester

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) - Eastern Illinois University's enrollment has jumped 7 percent this spring semester compared with the same time last year.

The increase comes after the Charleston school reported a 5 percent increase in enrollment from spring semester 2017 to spring semester 2018. EIU officials say the school has about 7,500 students this semester. That's about 490 more than spring semester 2018.

The increase comes about two years after the school made strong efforts to boost enrollment after numbers fell to 6,700 in spring 2017. That was down from more than 8,500 students in fall 2015.

EIU officials blamed the decrease on the two-year state budget impasse, fewer high school graduates and a statewide decrease in overall higher education enrollment.

Schools officials credit the enrollment increases to a stable state budget and efforts to boost enrollment among other factors.