Illinois State Improves in U.S. News and World Report Subrankings

Illinois State University retained its third tier ranking for the sixth year while improving in several rating categories, according to newly-released data from U.S. News and World Report.

Figures released Thursday show Illinois State made gains in the subcategories of Acceptance Rate, Freshman Retention Rate, Six-Year Graduation Rate and the Percentage of Faculty Who Are Full-Time.

Rankings are based on academic quality and excellence. Factors include assessment by administrators at peer institutions, student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and graduation rate performance.

"Students, potential students and parents will be particularly glad to know that our freshman retention rate continues to increase and that we have a very high percentage of full-time professors teaching in our classrooms every day,” said President Al Bowman. “College rankings are but one small measure of Illinois State's success, but they help reflect our outstanding faculty, staff and student body.