University News

Niche.com Ranks WIU Fourth Among Illinois Public Universities

June 15, 2016

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University has been ranked by Niche.com fourth out of 10 Illinois public schools as a top Illinois public university, and in the top 25 of best value colleges in Illinois. WIU is one of five Illinois public universities in the top 25 best value category among 35 public and private universities ranked.

According to Niche, the Top Public Universities ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of total quality of the education and experience provided by the college. Based on Niche's Best Colleges, this grade takes into account key factors, such as the strength of the academic program, the aptitude of professors, the quality of campus amenities, the general character of student life, as well as student reviews, in an attempt to measure the overall excellence of the college experience.

The Best Value Colleges ranking assesses the long-term impact a college has on its students in terms of costs, debt, career advancement, earnings and student reviews on how prepared they feel for life after college. This ranking was developed as part of a recent Department of Education College Scorecard initiative.

The Niche rating is the latest accolade for Western. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Western received a variety of recognitions including:

• U.S.News & World Report - 46th of 113 public and private schools on the top tier list of "Best Regional Universities." Western is one of four Illinois public universities appearing in the top 50. Of the 39 Midwestern public universities included, Western ranked 11th among the 113 Midwestern universities recognized as a "Best Midwestern University" (11 consecutive years ranked); 92nd out of 217 colleges and universities across the U.S. and one of three Illinois public universities in the top 100 of "Best Online Programs: Bachelor's" (fifth consecutive year ranked).

• Princeton Review - One of 159 regional universities, and one of three Illinois public institutions, named to the "Best in the Midwest" (12 consecutive years ranked).

• The Economist - Third out of 11 public schools in Illinois ranked, and ninth of 50 Illinois schools (overall, Western appeared at number 303 on the list of 1,275 schools).

• Military Times EDGE magazine - Selected as a 2016 "Best for Vets College" – Top 175 Schools. Western, ranked 15th (up from 18th in the 2015 rankings), was the only Illinois public four-year university in the top 25 and was one of two Illinois public universities in the top 70 (sixth consecutive year ranked).

• Victory Media - Seventh consecutive year designated a "Military Friendly School."

• Washington Monthly College Guide - 30th among 403 Midwestern colleges and universities, ranking in the top seven percent, and among five Illinois public universities in the top 75 of the Midwestern school rankings as a "Best Bang for the Buck" Midwestern school (third consecutive year ranked).

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing