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"Best Midwestern College," "Top Tier Midwestern University" Among WIU Honors

For the seventh consecutive year, The Princeton Review has named Western Illinois University a "Best Midwestern College," and Western is ranked among the top tier of best regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Rankings 2012 edition.

Western was one of 153 regional universities, and one of three Illinois public institutions, named a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review. In the U.S. News and World Report rankings, Western is ranked 14th as a top public school among Midwestern Regional Universities. Western is one of 37 public universities included among the 110 Midwestern college and universities recognized as top tier "Best Regional Universities" by U.S. News and World Report.

In addition to the top tier ranking, Western is also recognized as a "best" institution by U.S. News and World Report for graduation rates; freshman retention rates; least debt (class of 2010); highest proportion of classes under 20; most international students; economic diversity; and racial diversity.

You get this quality education at a four-year lock-in rate for tuition, fees, room and board. Guaranteed.

You can’t get this at any other state school. 

Did You Know?

  • WIU among 32 higher education institutions in the nation recognized as a model for helping students stay on track and graduate - HCM Strategists "Opportunity Knocks."
  • WIU among the best of 650 institutions - Forbes
  • WIU among the best of 553 master's universities in the U.S. - Washington Monthly
  • WIU recognized for its commitment to service learning  - The Carnegie Foundation's Community Engagement Classification &  the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
  • WIU among three Illinois public universities cited for retention of first-generation and low-income students - The Center for Student Opportunity
  • WIU has been recognized as a "best practice" model institution among just 15 U.S. colleges and universities (and the only Illinois university cited) - Southern Regional Educational Board
  • WIU is the only Illinois public university and the only Midwestern public university recognized for successful graduation rates for Hispanic students - The Education Trust

Supporting Veterans

Western was recently designated for the third consecutive year as a "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs Magazine. According to G.I. Jobs, the 2012 Military Friendly Schools list recognizes the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students.  Visit our Veterans Resource Center for more details.