CARBONDALE, Ill. (WJPF) – SIU officials say this year’s freshman class is the largest in six years.

1,518 freshman are attending classes in Carbondale this year, an increase of 7% from last year and the third consecutive year for freshman enrollment to increase. Despite the large freshman class, officials say overall enrollment is down  1.4%, coming in at 11,107. 

SIU officials have set a goal of having 15,000 students enrolled by 2030.