EIU Media Relations

Eastern Illinois University earns high marks in multiple national rankings

EIU earns high marks for affordability, quality from TIME/Statista, U.S. News & World Report, and onlinecybersecurity.com

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University continues to build on its legacy of excellence, earning national rankings and distinctions that reinforce EIU’s reputation for quality and exceptional value.

EIU a TIME/Statista America’s Best College

Last week, Eastern Illinois University secured a spot on America’s Best Colleges of 2026-2027 list, published by TIME and its partner Statista. This national recognition highlights EIU's exceptional performance across student outcomes and social mobility, learning environments, and overall institutional value. 

TIME's heavy emphasis on graduation rates, post-graduate earnings, and educational return on investment were key metrics in determining EIU’s placement on the list. The methodology behind the ranking heavily emphasizes return on investment (ROI), evaluating how efficiently institutions prepare graduates for the workforce and facilitate career advancement. EIU’s placement on TIME’s national list reflects its ongoing commitment to student affordability, practical academic programming, graduation rates, and post-graduation success. 

Eastern Illinois University is the sole Ohio Valley Conference institution and only public regional university in the Wabash Valley region to appear on TIME’s inaugural list.

EIU Among U.S. News and World Report’s Highest-Impact Institutions Across Five Categories

EIU also earned national recognition for being ranked by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) as a Best Value University in the Midwest region. The designation adds to the University's continued recognition among public regional universities in the Midwest and reflects the importance of affordability and student outcomes in choosing a college.

Eastern Illinois University’s continued recognition as a USNWR Best Value School builds on four additional renewed distinctions. EIU continued its sweep of earning ranked spots in several USNWR categories for Top Regional Universities, Top Public Regional Universities, Top Performers on Social Mobility, and Best Colleges for Veterans, also within the Regional Universities Midwest category. The USNWR's Midwest region spans 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. USNWR serves as a valuable resource for students and families considering affordable higher education options, and EIU’s latest USNWR rankings provide another measure of EIU's position in a competitive Midwest higher education landscape. Coupled with Eastern’s Guaranteed Tuition Program, which locks in an undergraduate student's tuition rate for four years, and EIU’s policy of offering in-state tuition rates to eligible students from any state, the latest USNWR rankings corroborate EIU’s ability to provide students with an accessible, high-quality education and a pathway to degree completion and career success.

“Students and families want to know that their investment in higher education will lead to meaningful opportunities,” said EIU President Jay Gatrell. “At Eastern, we combine affordability with a high-quality education and a commitment to student success. From helping students reach graduation to preparing them for rewarding careers, we are focused on delivering lasting value. This Best Value recognition reinforces the strength of that commitment.”

EIU’s Online Cybersecurity Program Takes Top Spot in State Rankings

OnlineCybersecurity.org also recently recognized EIU as the #1 public Online Cybersecurity program in Illinois in the website’s 2027 rankings. The national organization assists students in exploring cybersecurity education, degree options, career paths, and opportunities in the field. According to the announcement, OnlineSybersecurity.org’s most recent rankings “recognize programs providing strong educational pathways for current and future cybersecurity professionals.” As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and affect organizations across nearly every industry, EIU’s Online Cybersecurity program prepares and places skilled workers at the forefront of that effort by educating the next generation of professionals required to protect the systems, data, and organizations the United States relies on.

Learn More About Eastern Illinois University

Students and families interested in Eastern Illinois University have several opportunities to experience everything Eastern has to offer by attending one of EIU’s upcoming Open House events:

• Fall 2026 Daily Campus Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Each visit includes a guided walking tour, an opportunity to explore a residence hall and an informational presentation. Visits also can be personalized through connections with faculty in an academic area, the Honors College, campus resources or an EIU admissions counselor.
• For prospective transfer students, Fall 2026 Transfer-Specific Tours are offered Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. These visits include a campus walking tour, including a residence hall, and a meeting with an EIU admissions counselor.
• Select Saturday Visits are also available during the fall. These visits include an admissions presentation and a walking tour of campus.
• For prospective Panthers unable to travel to Charleston, EIU offers virtual counselor meetings that allow prospective students to connect with an admissions counselor for a virtual meeting and get answers to any questions they may have about EIU.
• A self-guided campus tour provides another flexible option. Prospective students can explore campus at their own pace and, by registering in advance, may meet individually with an admissions counselor. The self-guided experience also includes a tour folder, T-shirt and bottled water.

EIU encourages prospective students and families who cannot find a scheduled visit that fits their needs to contact the Admissions team, and EIU’s admissions staff will work directly with families to identify a visit opportunity that fits their schedules.

To explore visit options and register for an EIU campus experience, visit eiu.edu/admissions. Questions about campus visits can be directed to the Office of Admissions at (217) 581-2224 or via email at visiteiu@eiu.edu.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit Eastern Illinois University or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.

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MEDIA QUICKLINKS
Eastern Illinois University -- eiu.edu
TIME/Statista Rankings – time.com/article/2026/08/25/americas-best-colleges-2027
USNWR 2027 Rankings – usnews.com/best-colleges
OnlineCybersecurity.org – onlinecybersecurity.org/state/illinois/#show