EIU Media Relations

EIU Retains Top Tier Ranking in U.S. News & World Report

Eastern Illinois University has retained its spot in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report's top public universities in the Midwest for the third consecutive year.

Rankings released in the magazine's annual guide to "America's Best Colleges" shows Eastern once again ranks 31st among 143 public and private Midwestern/regional institutions, and is the only public university in Illinois listed in the first, or top, tier (four tiers total) in the "Best Universities - Master's (Regional/Midwest)" ranking category.

(This category represents those universities that offer a full range of undergraduate degrees and some master's degree programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs.)

Of the 143 Midwestern master's universities, only 38 were placed in the top tier. And only seven of those 38 are public, vs. private, institutions.

"It is thrilling to learn that Eastern is again ranked in the first tier of Midwestern master's universities," said Louis V. Hencken, Eastern's interim president. "Eastern has a long steady tradition of academic excellence, supported by strong nurturing relationships with our students.

"Our rankings reflect a continuing commitment by our faculty and staff to uphold these traditions," he added.

Rankings are based on schools' academic reputations, student selectivity, faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, financial resources and alumni giving.

"Given the financial challenges of the recent past, remaining in the top tier speaks to the extraordinary effort of our faculty and staff. Eastern continues to deliver an excellent educational experience for our students," said Blair Lord, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Eastern's greatest strengths in addition to its academic reputation include its average graduation rate of 66 percent, a freshman-to-sophomore retention rate of 81 percent, and percentage of full-time faculty (96 percent).

The newsstand book, "America's Best Colleges (2004 edition)," which contains the new U.S. News college rankings, is slated to go on sale Monday, Sept. 1.