U.S. News & World Report ranks UIS second among public regional universities in the Midwest

U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 Edition of America’s Best Colleges released today ranks the University of Illinois Springfield second among public regional universities in the Midwest, a two spot increase from the 2012 rankings when UIS was fourth.

For the fifth straight year, UIS was ranked as the top regional public university in the state of Illinois.

“This prestigious ranking reflects the strength of our student body as well as high quality, teaching-focused experience provided at the University of Illinois Springfield,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “Our class sizes allow that personal interaction between professors and students in an environment where leadership is lived every day. Our faculty and staff know that ongoing excellence is about keeping the educational experience challenging, fresh and transformative in the best sense of the word for our students.”

The 12-state Midwest region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

“Great things can happen when students have the opportunity to engage in active learning and to collaborate with accomplished scholars who are as passionate about teaching and mentoring and student success as they are about the subjects they teach,” said UIS Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Lynn Pardie. “That’s what happens here at UIS, and it’s gratifying to see that quality recognized.”

UIS is a premier public university that provides students with a high-quality liberal arts education, exceptional public affairs opportunities, and outstanding professional preparation programs. The campus offers 24 bachelor’s degree programs, 20 master’s programs and 1 doctoral program. UIS has four core strengths: (1) a teaching-focused academic experience; (2) an abundance of opportunities to collaborate; (3) a right-sized supportive community; and (4) a tradition of educating public servants and leaders. UIS has four colleges: business and management; education and human services; liberal arts and sciences; and public affairs and administration.

For more information contact Derek Schnapp, director of public relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.