By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Illinois State University has been ranked the 79th best public university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The ranking was partially thanks to the school’s 72 percent graduation rate, which is above the national average of 56 percent. Chief of Staff Jay Groves said the university’s graduation and retention rates are both in the top 10 percent of the country.
“Illinois State is known for being somewhat selective,” said Groves. “We bring in highly motivated, high achieving, civically engaged students, and we work closely with them throughout their academic careers to ensure their success.”
ISU was also recognized for the fact 34 percent of its classes have less than 20 students. Groves said Illinois State has a 17 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio and has been able to maintain that type of ratio despite welcoming record setting freshmen classes the last two years.
“One of Illinois State’s core values is ‘individualized attention’ and students that you might talk to, or alumni even, will tell you about the close student and faculty and staff interaction we have at the university,” said Groves. “That’s one of the reasons ISU is so popular and we’re glad that that’s keeping going.”
The university came in at 149th among all public and private universities in the nation.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
