University News
Western Named a Top Tier Masters Institution
August 20, 2009
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Western Illinois University continues to be ranked in the top tier of Midwest Universities Master's granting institutions, according to U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Rankings 2010 edition. For the fifth consecutive year, Western has also been re-named a Best Midwestern College by the Princeton Review.
As a top tier Midwestern University in the U.S. News and World Report ratings, Western has established an outstanding record for quality, access to education and affordability, said Joe Rives, vice president for Quad Cities, planning and technology. Western is among 20 public universities included in the Midwest top tier of 74 masters institutions.
"There are numerous factors that are used for the U.S. News and World Report ratings. The top tier designation is made possible based on what Western provides -- small classes, a low student-faculty ratio, an affordable education and our graduation and retention rates," Rives noted.
In addition to the current U.S. News and Princeton Review acknowledgements, Western was recently designated as a "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs Magazine and is featured in the "Guide to Military Friendly Schools." According to G.I. Jobs, this honor ranks Western in the top 15 percent of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide that are doing the most to assist America's veterans as students.
WIU is also recognized as one of only two Illinois public universities for the Center for Student Opportunity's (CSO) "College Access and Opportunity Guide" for its retention of first-generation and low-income students. Western has also received a "Best Practice" recognition from the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity as one of only 13 institutions nationally for the retention of first-generation and low-income students.
"Western has established its role as a leader in providing an affordable education with its Cost Guarantee and GradTrac programs," said Western President Al Goldfarb. "Our commitment to providing a high quality, accessible and affordable education is consistently recognized."
In 1999 Western established its Cost Guarantee program in which students entering Western are guaranteed they will pay the same rate for tuition, fees and on-campus room and board for their four years of continuous enrollment. The WIU Cost Guarantee is the only public university program in Illinois that provides no increases in fees and room and board in addition to the Illinois statutory requirement of guaranteed four-year tuition rates. The guarantee was expanded to include graduate students in 2004. In June 2009, Western's Board of Trustees approved a program to offer Western's in-state tuition rates to students in Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Western also offers a special admission program to select students who wish to enroll, but have not achieved the minimum requirements for general admission. Among the entering freshman class of approximately 1,800 each year, Western admits 300 new freshmen who show academic promise but do not meet all minimum entrance standards.
"Western's commitment to academic excellence and educational opportunity -- two of our core values -- are our key focus. Our commitment to access remains one of our most important priorities," Goldfarb said. "We are doing an exceptional job in providing outstanding opportunities for our students."
For more information about Western Illinois University, visit wiu.edu on the web or www.facebook.com/wiu.edu.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: