For the third year in a row, the University of Southern Indiana has reported an increase in first-time freshmen enrollment. The Fall 2025 entering class includes 1,367 first-time freshmen, a 3.5% increase over 2024, building on last year’s 3.0% rise and continuing a positive trend of growing and academically well-prepared incoming classes.

“We’re proud to celebrate a third consecutive year of growth, which reflects the continued strength of the University of Southern Indiana’s academic programs and the unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff,” said Rashad Smith, Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions.

USI has also seen encouraging improvements in student success metrics. Both four-year and six-year graduation rates have increased, with the four-year rate up 4.5% over last year’s record-setting figure. Retention from first to second year remains strong, and first-generation students continue to make up a significant portion of the freshman class—21% in 2025.

“Alongside this enrollment momentum, we are seeing positive gains in student success measures, including graduation rates. These achievements demonstrate that USI is not only attracting more students but also supporting them as they thrive and complete their degrees on time.” said Steven J. Bridges, USI President.

Nationally, undergraduate enrollment has remained largely flat, with many institutions continuing to face challenges. USI’s continued growth of incoming freshmen classes reflects its ability to attract academically talented students, provide pathways for first-generation collegegoers and deliver programs that prepare graduates for success.

Graduate enrollment remains strong with 1,866 students pursuing advanced degrees, continuing a trend of demand for flexible, affordable and high-impact programs. This fall, 2,161 students are enrolled in dual credit through the College Achievement Program (CAP) in 25 high schools across the state.

Overall enrollment, including undergraduate, graduate and dual credit students, totaled 9,399, a slight drop from Fall 2024 due in part to a small decrease in graduate studies first fall start date and dual credit participation. However, the number of credit hours taken by students is also up this fall, reflecting increased academic engagement.

USI’s student body represents 87 Indiana counties, 48 states and 40 countries. In-state students account for 75.5% of enrollment, with 24.5% coming from out-of-state and international enrollment.

EVANSVILLE, IND. (09/17/2025) The University of Evansville (UE) is excited to announce a new interdisciplinary degree, the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Business & Engineering (IBE), set to launch in Fall 2026. This innovative program is a collaborative effort between the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration (SFSOBA) and the School of Engineering & Computer Science (SECS), designed to equip students with both technical and business expertise.

The IBE program integrates a business core, a foundational engineering core, and a series of specialized IBE courses to develop graduates who can “speak the language” of both domains while demonstrating applied problem-solving and project leadership capabilities. Students will complete 124 credit hours, including a 40-hour business core, 21-hour engineering core, and 18 hours of IBE courses such as Introduction to Six Sigma, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Sustainability in Business and Engineering, New Product Design and Development, and an internship. The program culminates in a team-based, industry-facing capstone project, providing hands-on, experiential learning throughout the degree.

Students may enhance their business foundation through certificates in areas like Accounting, Logistics/Supply Chain, Sales, or Global Business, or pursue additional technical electives in engineering to strengthen discipline-specific expertise.

“Integrated programs like IBE prepare students to excel at the intersection of two critical fields,” said Dr. Suresh Immanuel, Schroeder Family Dean of the UE College of Business and Engineering. “Our graduates will not only understand complex technical systems but also how those systems fit into real-world business strategy. This program will graduate students who are business-minded with an engineering skillset – an increasingly powerful combination that employers across the region are eager to see.”

Unlike other similar degree programs that simply add engineering courses to a business degree, IBE fully integrates business and engineering coursework with its specialized course set. The program is housed in the AACSB-accredited Schroeder Family School of Business Administration, and is delivered in UE’s hallmark small, experiential learning environment. State-of-the-art classrooms and labs to support this hands-on, interdisciplinary approach.

Employers and community partners have expressed strong enthusiasm for graduates who combine business acumen with technical literacy. Career pathways include technical analyst, technical sales, technical project manager, organizational/technology consultant, and data analyst. Initially, courses will be taught by existing faculty and select adjuncts for engineering-specific courses, with a full-time faculty member dedicated to IBE courses expected to start in Fall 2029.

“The ability to bridge engineering and business is exactly the kind of skillset communities like Evansville need,” said Evansville City Engineer Mike Labitzke ’92. “When future professionals can understand both the technical details and the broader business impact of a project, they bring tremendous value not only to employers but also to the cities and neighborhoods they serve.”

The IBE program reflects UE’s mission and core values, preparing students to think critically, act bravely, serve responsibly, and live meaningfully in a changing world. By fostering interdisciplinary and experiential learning, the program strengthens UE’s innovation agenda and delivers tangible benefits to both students and the broader community.