Enrollment Explosion

By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the November 2025 issue.

North Central College welcomes record-setting undergraduate class

After years of dominant seasons, North Central College supporters and alumni have grown accustomed to their favorite school being a powerhouse in Division III football. Now they can celebrate a big win for the Admissions Office as well. This fall, NCC welcomed a record 921 new undergraduate students, besting the previous high of 893 from back in 2017. That number includes 657 first-year students, which represents a whopping 36 percent increase over 2024. Combined with graduate student enrollment, the full incoming class of 3,179 students for the start of the 2025–26 academic year surpassed the previous record total of 3,003, set last year.

Photo: Jen Banowetz