EIU Media Relations

EIU Again Ranked Among Best in its Class by U.S. News & World Report

For the eighth consecutive year, Eastern Illinois University has been named one of the top Midwestern public universities in its class by U.S. News & World Report.

EIU is ranked 14th among all Midwestern public universities offering a full range of undergraduate degrees and some master’s degree programs. The region encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The rankings – part of the magazine’s 2008 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” – are based on schools’ academic reputations, student selectivity, faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, financial resources and alumni giving.

The numbers show that EIU has been able to retain its focus on personal attention despite record enrollment. For example, the student-faculty ratio remains 16:1, and only 5 percent of all classes have 50 or more students.

In addition, EIU touts the highest freshman retention rate and the highest graduation rate among all Illinois public universities in its class.

“Eastern Illinois University consistently ranks well among our peers, and for good reason,” said EIU President Bill Perry. “The dedication of the faculty and staff makes students’ experience here an overwhelmingly positive one, and I’m confident we’re all going to work together to make this already great institution even better in the coming years.”