McKendree University Continues to Celebrate History-Making Success

(LEBANON, Ill., September 14, 2023) – The past two years have been especially fruitful for McKendree University as they continue seeing great success in their Clear Path initiative.

Within this past year alone, the university has seen an increase in several enrollment aspects, including online undergraduate students (up 12 percent), total graduate student hours (up 23 percent) and total undergraduate students (up 5 percent). There have been steady increases in several online programs, including the master’s in clinical mental health and counseling program, the master’s in education in curriculum and design program, the master’s in teaching program, the master’s in business administration program and the master’s in nursing program. An impressive amount of interest has been shown in one of the university’s newest programs, the Paraprofessional+ Pathway program, a fully online offering for paraprofessionals looking to become full-fledged elementary teachers with initial licensure in only two years.

The university has also seen some of the largest classes in its 195 years of history within the past two years. This year’s incoming class has already demonstrated their academic prowess and potential: their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.5, and an astounding 30 percent of new students are receiving honors scholarships. These students hail from 35 states and 28 countries.

This continued success has been attributed to various factors, especially the university’s Clear Path initiative. This unique initiative provides price transparency in the financial aid process for undergraduate students residing in nearby counties that they are guaranteed the personalized experience provided by a private institution at a public school price. This initiative, which began in the fall of 2021 with 34 counties, has recently been extended to include a total of 63 counties in Illinois.

“We continue to be excited about Clear Path and the opportunity it provides to make a McKendree education possible,” said Chris Hall, vice president for admission and financial aid at McKendree University.

McKendree will continue hosting Preview Days this year, which will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the university’s academics, co-curricular activities and campus life during an interactive student-faculty panel and campus tour. This year, Preview Days will take place on Monday, Oct. 9; Saturday, Nov. 11; Monday, Feb. 19, 2024; and Saturday, April 6, 2024. Interested students and parents may register for a Preview Day here.

To learn more about Clear Path, please visit the university’s website.

 

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