The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has achieved a milestone this fall, welcoming its largest cohort of graduate students in university history, according to a Graduate College story.

The 7,425 new graduate students represent an 18% increase from last year’s enrollment, contributing to Illinois’ total of 20,765 graduate students—an impressive 35% of the university’s student body.

According to officials, the university’s online graduate programs have driven much of this growth, enrolling 41% of Illinois’ graduate students and expanding access to learners worldwide.

“Our diverse educational pathways meet a variety of learner needs—from cutting-edge doctoral programs to innovative online master’s and certificate offerings,” Provost John Coleman said. “This multifaceted approach has allowed Illinois to foster a vibrant graduate community filled with future leaders, researchers, and skilled professionals.”

Online master’s programs and new certificate options have been particularly popular, with certificate enrollments alone seeing a 55% increase since their launch in 2022. For example, the Gies College of Business, partnering with Coursera, has been instrumental in delivering affordable, quality education globally.

As Illinois continues to expand its graduate programs, particularly in online and flexible formats, the university is shaping a future where educational access and academic excellence go hand-in-hand.

Read the full Graduate College story.

Learn more about Illinois' online doctoral, master's, graduate certificate and endorsement programs.