University News

WIU's School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) was named the top law enforcement colleges in Illinois and the No. 5 program in the country.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

LEJA Earns Top Marks in National Rankings

August 20, 2026

Share Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) continues to be recognized as one of the premier programs in the country.

According to Universities.com, WIU ranks No. 1 in Illinois and No. 5 in the United States on their list of the best law enforcement colleges. Led by exceptional faculty and a stellar student-to-faculty ratio, WIU was praised for its career preparation, facilities and culture.

"Being recognized among the nation's leading programs is a tremendous reflection of the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students," LEJA Director Jamie Johnson said. "At LEJA, we are committed to providing students with more than a degree—we prepare them for successful careers and leadership roles in law enforcement, emergency management, and fire protection. Our combination of nationally recognized academic programs, experienced faculty, hands-on learning opportunities, and state-of-the-art resources provides our students with an educational experience that is both rigorous and career-focused. Western Illinois University is preparing the next generation of public safety professionals and leaders."

In addition to the top rankings in law enforcement education, LEJA also houses the fire protection and emergency management programs, which were recognized by intelligent.com as the No. 9 and No. 12 programs in the country, respectively.

WIU's ability to combine expert faculty and staff, along with top-of-the-line resources makes the LEJA program stand out.

As an institution, WIU also prides itself as an Opportunity University, as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education. This classification highlights the extent to which WIU fosters opportunities for student success by measuring whether institutions are enrolling students reflective of the communities they serve and how the earnings of those students compare to peers in their area.

For more information on WIU's LEJA program, visit wiu.edu/leja.

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