2015 CIRP Freshmen Student Profile

Main Content

Published November 2016

Respondents and Campus Enrollment Comparison

Percentage of female:

  • 44.4% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 56.5% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of male:

  • 55.6% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 43.5% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of African American:

  • 6.3% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 4.3% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of Asian:

  • 19.1% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 29.0% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of Latina/o:

  • 10.7% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 9.4% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of Multiracial:

  • 3.1% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 10.3% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of Native American:

  • 0.1% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 0.0% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of White:

  • 45.2% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 46.4% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of Unknown or Other:

  • 0.7% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 0.8% – CIRP Respondents

Percentage of International:

  • 14.8% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 12.7% – CIRP Respondents
Infographic showing the survey respondents and campus enrollment comparisons.

The majority of responding freshmen (97%) were traditional college age 18-19 year olds.

Infographic showing that 97% of responding freshmen were traditional college age 18-19 year olds.

Illinois was either the first (51.9%) or second (24.9%) choice college of respondents.

Infographic showing that UIUC was either the first (51.9%) or second (24.9%) choice college of respondents.

The most popular intended majors were:

  • 23.2% – Engineering
  • 14.2% – Business
  • 10.1% – Social Sciences
  • 9.6% – Biological & Life Sciences
Infographic showing the most popular intended majors.

The most popular intended careers were:

  • 18.5% – Engineering
  • 17.1% – Business
  • 7.1% – Doctor
  • 7.8% – Other Health Professional
  • 5.8% – IT Professional
Infographic showing the most popular intended careers.

Most respondents came from middle or higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • 10.5% – $60-74,999
  • 13.8% – $75-99,999
  • 16.7% – $100-149,999
  • 10.3% – $150-199,999
  • 5.9% – $200-249,999
  • 10.1% – $250,000 or more
Infographic showing that most respondents came from middle or higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

Despite their socioeconomic backgrounds the majority have concerns about their ability to finance their education.

Do you have concern about your ability to finance your college education?

  • 23.6% – None, I am confident that I will have sufficient funds
  • 59.4% – Some, but I probably will have enough funds
  • 16.9% – Major, not sure I will have enough funds to complete college
Infographic showing that the majority of respondents have concerns about their ability to finance their education.

Many freshmen plan to obtain a Master's (46.7%) or Doctorate (22.4%) degree but not necessarily at UIUC.

The highest academic degrees planned by freshmen from UIUC are Bachelor's (67.4%) and Master's degrees (22.1%).

Infographic showing the academic degree plans of respondents.

Freshmen drinking at Illinois reported from the past year.

  • 61.3% – Did not drink beer at all
  • 56.9% – Did not drink wine/liquor at all
  • 33.0% – Drank beer occasionally
  • 36.1% – Drank wine occasionally
Infographic showing responses from freshmen at Illinois about their drinking habits from the past year.

Much like their peers across the nation, UIUC respondents rated themselves strongly on interpersonal skills.

Self-Rated Interpersonal Skills of UIUC Respondents and Peers

Tolerance of others with different beliefs
  • 85.9% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 87.2% – Peers
Openness to having my own views challenged
  • 68.8% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 66.6% – Peers
Ability to discuss and negotiate controversial issues
  • 73.9% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 74.3% – Peers
Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people
  • 83.2% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 88.5% – Peers
Infographic showing that UIUC respondents, and their peers across the nation, rated themselves strongly on interpersonal skills.

There is little difference between UIUC and peer respondents' political characteristics.

Self-Reported Political Characteristics of UIUC Respondents and Peers

Far Left
  • 4.7% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 4.3% – Peers
Liberal
  • 38.3% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 38.9% – Peers
Middle of the Road
  • 42.6% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 39.0% – Peers
Conservative
  • 14.1% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 14.0% – Peers
Far Right
  • 0.3% – UIUC Freshmen
  • 0.9% – Peers
Infographic showing the self-reported political characteristics of UIUC respondents and their peers.

Specific socio-political ideologies garnered varied strong or somewhat agreement.

UIUC Respondents' Socio-Political Ideologies

Percentage of Respondents that Strongly or Somewhat Agree
  • 57.3% – Students from disadvantage social backgrounds should be given preferential treatment in college admissions
  • 89.0% – Same-sex couples should have the right to legal marital status
  • 23.7% – The United States should intervene in the wars of other countries
  • 96.4% – Women should receive the same salary and opportunities for advancement as men in comparable positions
  • 69.3% – Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus
  • 71.2% – Dissent is a critical component of the political process
  • 62.2% – Marijuana should be legalized
  • 28.7% – Realistically, an individual can do little to bring about change in our society
  • 51.7% – Colleges have the right to ban extreme speakers from campus
  • 72.2% – Abortion should be legal
  • 22.9% – Racial discrimination is no longer a major problem in American
Infographic showing UIUC respondents' strong or somewhat agreement with various socio-political ideologies.

Top Five Reasons for Attending UIUC

  • 98.7% – This college has a very good academic reputation
  • 93.4% – This college's graduates get good jobs
  • 82.8% – This college has a good reputation for its social activities
  • 84.4% – Rankings in national magazines
  • 77.6% – This college's graduates gain admission to top graduate/professional schools
Infographic showing the top five reasons respondents gave for attending UIUC.
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