ICC Fall Enrollment Increases 3% Marking Sixth Straight Semester of Growth
East Peoria, IL (08/21/2025) — Illinois Central College (ICC) has seen enrollment rise for the sixth semester in a row.
As of August 20, students have registered for 2,013 more credit hours than a year ago, a 3% increase. The College enrolled 8,232 students for fall 2025, a 2.5% increase over last fall.
Enrollment for students of color increased 3.4%, while enrollment of adult students rose 10.8%. Enrollment also grew in career and technical education programs as well as certificate programs.
College leaders credit the growth to meeting student and community needs. Flexible learning options, including online, hybrid, and 8-week courses, have especially benefited working adults. Leaders note that the flexibility of shorter courses-and students' confidence in managing a higher credit load when classes are structured this way-contributed to the increase and are expected to continue driving growth in the future as ICC converts to a largely 8-week schedule in the fall of 2026.
"At Illinois Central College, every initiative centers on student success-whether a student's goal is to transfer to a university or earn a credential providing an in-demand technical skill," said Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, President of ICC. "Our sixth consecutive semester of growth in enrollment affirms the value of our efforts to remove barriers and create clear pathways to engagement, completion, transfer, and career opportunities. It reflects the real, lasting impact ICC has on our students and our community."
Among the changes driving the increase are:
- Placement reforms and new assessment tools have reduced the number of students in developmental courses by 66%.
- Strengthened advising and streamlined services have improved the enrollment process.
- New programs in Information Technology and Electric Vehicle Technology have drawn students seeking high-demand skills.
That focus on career pathways extends beyond traditional semesters. This summer, ICC enrolled 835 students in corporate and community education courses and 51 in workforce programs. These programs meet individuals where they are with short-term professional certifications, many of which are designed to stack into academic credit certificates or degrees, giving students a direct bridge from skill-building to college credentials and career advancement.
###
Illinois Central College is a two-year community college with campuses in East Peoria, Peoria and Pekin, Illinois, providing a high-quality, affordable education to prepare students to enter the workforce or to transfer to a four-year institution. ICC is the 2020 awardee of the National Community College Charles Kennedy Equity Award from ACCT, a 2022 and 2025 EDA Good Job Challenge Institution, and the Lead College for the state of Illinois' Workforce Equity Initiative. ICC also conducts original research in agricultural fields, including water quality and soil conservation. For more information, visit icc.edu.
Media Attachments
Illinois Central College
PR@icc.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Presidential Search Process Underway at Illinois Central College
- Dr. Joe Bergman Named Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Illinois Central College
- Dr. Jon C. Neidy of Illinois Central College Selected for the Aspen Institute's Rising Presidents Fellowship
- Illinois Central College President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey to Retire at End of 2025
- Illinois Central College Wins Statewide Equity and Diversity Award
- ICC Summer Enrollment Jumps Nearly 29%, Marking Fifth Straight Semester of Growth
- Illinois Central College Celebrates 2,243 Graduates at 2025 Commencement Ceremony
- Illinois Central College Hosts 2025 Commencement Ceremony
- Millikin University & Illinois Central College Announce Agreement to Streamline Transfer Process
- Media Advisory: Illinois Central College Welcomes Community to Experience ICC Open House