New student enrollment is on the rise at Bradley University, although overall enrollment has fallen just below 4,000 for the first time in at least 36 years.
The university’s annual student census for the fall semester showed 1,160 new students for the new academic year, including a 36% increase in first-year students.
“We are one of the few institutions that we are seeing that had an upward number this year for our undergrad enrollment,” said Angie Cooksy, Bradley’s vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications.
“We knew we were going to have a smaller total enrollment. We’ve had some larger classes graduate, and we have some smaller classes that are still here as current students.”
A university spokesperson said total enrollment was 3,963, the first time below 4,000 in records dating back to 1990. The figure is down from 4,242 a year ago and 4,777 in 2024 — the first year below 5,000.
“Obviously, our goal is to make sure [students] graduate and become Bradley alumni. So as they work through the experience and we bring in these bigger classes, we’ll see that number grow over the next few years,” said Cooksy.
“We have a lot of momentum to get that number back up over 4,000 in in the next few years.”
The 2026 fall semester census showed 876 first-year students, compared to 642 in the fall of 2025. Transfer students increased from 150 to 180, although new graduate students dropped from 153 to 104.
“Every new student brings something to Bradley, and this class is joining us at an exciting time,” Bradley President James Shadid said in a news release. “We’re building on the strengths of this university while creating new opportunities for students to learn, connect and succeed.
“Seeing more first-year students choose Bradley gives us even more reason to be optimistic about where we’re headed.”
Cooksy said the increase in first-year students is “an encouraging sign” that indicates the value of a Bradley education.
“Our recruitment efforts are connecting students with the personal attention, hands-on learning and opportunities that make Bradley special,” she said. “We’re excited to welcome this class and help them find their place here.”
