CARBONDALE, Ill. (WJPF) — Total spring enrollment at SIU Carbondale is slightly down, but school leaders say they’re encouraged by high freshman retention numbers.

According to the university, there are now 10,378 students enrolled in classes. That’s down 401 students from the same time last year, or about 3.7%.

1,056 freshmen are taking classes this spring. That’s about a 36% increase from last year. The university says about 85% of students who enrolled in the fall, returned this spring.

SIU reached its peak enrollment in 1991 with nearly 25,000 students.