Illinois State University moved up in the ranking for best national public university in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. The University was named the 78th best public university, up from 79th last year.
Illinois State demonstrated its level of excellence in subcategories of the report, with 33 percent of classes with fewer than 20 students, even with a third year of record-breaking enrollment. Illinois State also increased the graduation rate to 73 percent, continuing a rate far above the national average of 60 percent for public universities, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
“Numbers never tell the full story, but this year’s ranking shows that people are aware of the excellence of Illinois State University, especially in the wake of increased enrollment numbers,” said Illinois State President Larry Dietz. “It is another reminder that we are a leader in public education.”
U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on factors such as undergraduate peer assessment scores that are from high school counselors as well as college and university presidents, provosts, and deans of admissions. Other factors include student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance.
