University of Illinois Springfield Earned Regional Rankings
The institution secured top spots in the latest Midwest report.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Military Jobs
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U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Illinois Springfield 10th among public regional universities in the Midwest for 2027. The university also placed 28th for best value and 18th for military veterans in the region.
Why it matters
These rankings reflect the university's performance in graduation rates, retention, graduate earnings, and faculty resources. Best value honors further account for the relationship between academic quality and student cost for those receiving aid.
The university earned a 10th-place ranking among public regional universities in the Midwest. It also achieved 28th for best value and 18th for military veterans within the same regional cohort.
The players
University of Illinois Springfield
This is a public university located in Springfield, Illinois, that is part of the University of Illinois System.
U.S. News & World Report
This is a media company that publishes annual rankings of colleges and universities based on various academic and economic metrics.
The details
The rankings were determined by analyzing factors such as student graduation rates, retention, and graduate earnings. Faculty resources were also included in the assessment, while best value rankings specifically balanced academic quality against student financial aid costs.
Timeline
The 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings were released for the 2027 academic cycle.
Market Landscape
These rankings reflect a broader trend of regional public institutions competing for enrollment by highlighting graduate success metrics and student cost efficiency. This positioning distinguishes the University of Illinois Springfield from other regional entities by emphasizing value for veterans and affordability.
Current and prospective students may use these rankings to assess the university's long-term value regarding graduate earnings and financial aid impact. Veterans in the local community can leverage the specific veteran-friendly recognition when considering academic enrollment.
The takeaway
Students should review the specific criteria like retention rates and financial aid packages when using rankings to select a college. These metrics provide a standardized, though not exhaustive, look at how an institution supports its student body.
Further reading
For more on the local academic and professional landscape, visit Military Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAND-TV.
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