2019 Yearly Overview

200 years strong

Admitting, enrolling, and serving students has been at the heart of Indiana University since its founding 200 years ago. That work, much of which is now carried out under the auspices of the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM), is fundamental to the success of the university and its students. As we prepare for the third century of IU, we continue to innovate in our tools and approaches.

In the past year, for example, we’ve opened a new state-of-the-art Office of Admissions Welcome Center and launched the CeCredential, which provides students an exact digital replica of the certificate earned and allows them to share on their resume and with family and friends.

[Left photo] 1830 diploma belonging to James Rollins, one of the first four students to graduate from Indiana University (Indiana College). Photo by IU Archives [Right photos] Newly renovated Ernie Pyle Hall, home of the Admissions Welcome Center. Photos by Office of Enrollment Management

As IU embarks on its third century, we reaffirm our commitment to providing financial support to students who need it most and who demonstrate great talent. Need-based programs such as 21st Century Scholars and the Pell Promise award continue to draw qualified students who would otherwise be unable to pursue a college degree. Our named award programs, such as the MacDonald, Lilly, and Cox Scholars, continue to attract high-achieving students to IU—and provide them with enhanced student experiences while they’re here.

Welcoming the new class

IU is attracting more students than ever: This year’s beginner class sets a new record for enrollment with 8,291 students. More than 4,600 of those are Indiana high school graduates, making IU home to more beginner Hoosiers than any other college campus.

The class is record-setting not only in size but in academic quality. Their median high school GPA is a record 3.85, up from last year’s record 3.83. In addition, the class set a new SAT/ACT record with an average of 1285. Many of these high-achievers are coming to IU with a significant amount of college credit already completed—an average of 13 credit hours.

1920 Indiana University Centennial class photo. *Photo by IU Archives*

2019 incoming class at Traditions and Spirit of IU during Welcome Week. *Photo by IU Studios*

The student body also continues to become more diverse. The 2019 incoming class includes 1,450 underrepresented minority students, or 19 percent of the domestic class (up from 18 percent in 2018). IU has seen the number of underrepresented students increase by more than 50 percent since 2013.

This also marks the second year in a row—and the third time in five years—that all 92 Indiana counties are represented in the beginner class. We are also welcoming students from 47 states, plus Washington, D.C., 48 countries, and 6 continents, setting a new record in international beginner diversity of citizenship.

More than 65 percent of students in the beginner cohort are receiving some form of financial gift aid.

Use the arrows to see more beginner class stats.

Beginner Student Enrollment graph shows 7,716 students in 2014, 7,875 students in 2015, 7,673 students in 2016, 8,001 students in 2017, 8,097 students in 2018, and 8,291 students in 2019.

Beginner by Residency graph shows 56% or 4,352 domestic resident students, 34% or 2,633 domestic non-resident students, and 9% or 731 international students in 2014; 57% or 4,509 domestic resident students, 34% or 2,660 domestic non-resident students, and 9% or 706 international students in 2015; 57% or 4,369 domestic resident students, 34% or 2,633 domestic non-resident students, and 9% or 671 international students in 2016; 55% or 4,407 domestic resident students, 36% or 2,906 domestic non-resident students, and 9% or 688 international students in 2017; 58% or 4,660 domestic resident students, 35% or 2,857 domestic non-resident students, and 7% or 580 international students in 2018; 56% or 4,666 domestic resident students, 38% or 3,133 domestic non-resident students, and 6% or 492 international students in 2019.

Beginner Median High School GPA graph shows a GPA of 3.73 in 2014, 3.76 in 2015, 3.79 in 2016, 3.83 in 2017, 3.83 in 2018, and 3.85 in 2019.

Beginner Mean SAT/ACT Converted graph shows a score of 1271 in 2014, 1273 in 2015, 1277 in 2016, 1284 in 2017, 1283 in 2018, and 1285 in 2019.

*Due to a university-wide data update after the fall 2019 census date, the underrepresented number for fall 2019 has been adjusted. All other years remain unchanged.

The 48 Countries Represented in the Beginner Class map shows 1 student from Argentina, 1 student from Australia, 1 student from Bulgaria, 1 student from Colombia, 1 student from Costa Rica, 1 student from France, 1 student from Germany, 1 student from Guatemala, 1 student from Ireland, 1 student from Israel, 1 student from Japan, 1 student from Kenya, 1 student from Macau, 1 student from Malaysia, 1 student from Nepal, 1 student from the Netherlands, 1 student from Norway, 1 student from the Philippines, 1 student from Portugal, 1 student from Romania, 1 student from Russia, 1 student from Saudi Arabia, 1 student from South Africa, 1 student from Tanzania, 1 student from Turkey, 1 student from Uganda, 1 student from Uruguay, 1 student from Uzbekistan, 2 students from Honduras, 2 students from Switzerland, 2 students from the United Arab Emirates, 2 students from the United Kingdom, 7,799 students from the United States, 3 students from Hong Kong, 3 students from Mexico, 3 students from New Zealand, 3 students from Oman, 3 students from Singapore, 5 students from Indonesia, 6 students from Thailand, 7 students from Brazil, 8 students from Canada, 11 students from Vietnam, 15 students from Taiwan, 37 students from South Korea, 115 students from India, and 236 students from China.

Beginner Gift Aid Recipients graph shows 58% or 4,467 students in 2014, 63% or 4,971 students in 2015, 64% or 4,882 students in 2016, 64% or 5,088 students in 2017, 64% or 5,190 students in 2018, and 65% or 5,414 students in 2019.

Average Incoming Credits of Beginner Students graph shows an average of 9.6 credits in 2014, 11 credits in 2015, 11.3 credits in 2016, 12.9 credits in 2017, 12.6 credits in 2018, and 13.2 credits in 2019.

Beginner Enrollment by Intended School or College graphic show 3,140 students at the Kelley School of Business, 2,188 students at the College of Arts + Sciences, 480 students at the School of Public Health, 414 students enrolled as Exploratory, 384 students at the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, 364 students at The Media School, 262 students at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, 262 students at the School of Nursing, 212 students at the Jacobs School of Music, 197 students at the School of Education, 173 students at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, 159 students at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, + Design, 34 at the School of Social Work, and 22 at the Arts + Sciences & Public And Environmental Affairs Combined Program.

Communicating costs, awards, and opportunities

As value and affordability continue to be major enrollment drivers, we strive to communicate as clearly as possible about financial aid, the scholarship process, and college costs. This year, we redesigned the scholarships and financial aid brochure that OEM units provide to students and families throughout the recruitment cycle. By adding a removable panel of keywords as well as cost-cutting tips from current students, we created a practical document to demystify an intimidating aspect of college planning.

In January, we launched a new Office of Scholarships website. The new site lays out information by audience and includes a sorting tool that allows future and current Hoosiers to search for scholarships for which they may be eligible.

The Office of Scholarships also revamped their scholarships search and application tool in One.IU. The IU Scholarships tool (facilitated by Blackbaud Award Management) allows students to find and apply for many scholarships in one platform. This year, students used the IU Scholarships platform to access 291 scholarships from 17 campus partners.

Student view of the Financial Aid Student Tracker. *Photo by Student Central*

Home page of the Financial Aid Student Tracker. Photo by Student Central

Student Central created the Financial Aid Student Tracker (FAST) report to help students understand changes to their financial aid awards. Previously, students received an electronic financial aid notification (eFAN) when their aid packages changed due to scholarship, grant, or loan updates. The eFAN allows them to see the updated aid package but does not detail the changes. Now students can use the FAST tool to see and understand all aid activity.

The Indiana County Bicentennial Scholarship continues to make IU possible for students from the 25 lowest-enrolling counties in the state. The $10,000 scholarship ($2,500 annually), along with expanded community outreach, has resulted in significant growth in enrollment from these counties. Since 2016, 411 students have received a total of nearly $2 million through this program, and enrollment from these counties has increased 11 percent. This year’s beginner class includes a record 141 Bicentennial Scholars.

Not only does the IU 21st Century Scholars Program offer you financial aid, but they offer you a support system when you need it.

Eunice Wu, class of 2021
Major: Finance
Minor: Law and Public Policy

At eight years old and with no knowledge of English, Eunice Wu moved to Indianapolis from Hunan, China. Ten years later, she was valedictorian of her high school class.

Clearly a talented and hardworking student, she knew she was destined for college. But when her stepfather passed away during her senior year, her family’s financial future was uncertain—and her college application process was one of many responsibilities on her plate.

Thanks to the 21st Century Scholarship and IU’s 21st Century Scholarship Covenant, Eunice was able to focus on school and family without worrying about college finances.

Now more than ever, students with OEM scholarships receive benefits far beyond financial support. This year, the Office of Scholarships expanded their current scholar programming to provide these students—Hoosier Scholars—with more events and opportunities to enrich their academic experience. Scholars enjoyed events, including dinners, study breaks, sporting events, and community service days. By celebrating and supporting students through these engagement opportunities, we are fostering a community of scholars.

Enhancing the student experience

This year marked the fifth anniversary of the award-winning Six C’s initiative, our outreach plan centered on the following channels: communications, community-based organizations, community colleges, camps and competitions, churches and faith-based organizations, and school counselors. Since launching the Six C’s in 2013, we have seen a 64 percent increase in beginner underrepresented students at IU Bloomington.

As we continue to develop the Six C’s strategy, this year saw exciting changes such as a new role supporting veterans in the admissions process; expanded outreach in Indianapolis and in Monroe, Lake, and Allen counties; and an increased emphasis on precollege recruitment through a new precollege programs website, as well as print and partner outreach related to these programs.

This year also brought about exciting new partnerships, in alignment with our focus on serving Indiana students and increasing access for low-income students. IU and Purdue are partnering with the College Board across the state of Indiana to encourage college preparation through excellence in coursework. This included a letter from President McRobbie and President Daniels sent directly to Indiana high school juniors.

IU is also partnering with the American Talent Initiative (ATI) and joining their efforts to increase college access for low- to moderate-income students. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to create more equitable opportunities for all students, with a special emphasis on transfer students, veterans, and students from rural areas.

Our Hoosier Experience program—designed to enhance student engagement and unify the first-year student experience across campus—saw impressive participation during its inaugural year. Nearly 7,000 students participated in at least one Hoosier Experience event, while more than 1,000 participated in three or more. And 72 freshmen earned the Hoosier Experience First-Year Achievement Award by participating in six or more featured events. This award, presented as an eCertificate, is a valuable asset for students as they pursue jobs and other opportunities.

In partnership with Ivy Tech Bloomington, we also launched a new model for the Hoosier Link program. In addition to the traditional On-campus path for residential Hoosier Link students, the new Community path now allows students within the service area to commute to Ivy Tech from their residence. Recruitment for the new model began in spring 2019, with the first class entering in fall 2019. This expansion of the program makes IU more accessible to students in the service area counties, seven of which overlap with the Center for Rural Engagement initiative.

Spring 1911 schedule of classes. *Photo by Office of Enrollment Management and Office of the Registrar*

This year, we fully rolled out pre-registration. For the third consecutive year, almost the entire incoming beginner class registered for fall semester courses during New Student Orientation. Since 2015, first-time student drops have decreased by about 3 percent, and students have adjusted their schedules about 17 percent less than in previous years.

We are grateful for the support of our many partners on and off campus. We look forward to continuing to create and streamline pathways for students to enroll, connect, and thrive at IU Bloomington.

Learn more about the goals and accomplishments of the Office of Enrollment Management

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