While fewer freshmen are starting college this fall overall college enrollment is up for other groups in Illinois.
The state has seen an increase in high school students taking college credits as well as freshman aged 25 and older.
SIU's Chancellor Austin Lane says that this fits into the universities recruiting strategies.
The university has increased efforts to recruit in the Southern Illinois area, increase relationships with community colleges across the state, and put focus on the fully online programs available at SIU.
Chancellor Lane says the university has to tap into the non-traditional market if they want to hit their goal of 15,000 in 2030.
"In order for us to grow it's a combination of both traditional and non-traditional." Lane says, "I think the future is definitely in the non-traditional market that's out there."
