UIS Earns Top Spot Among Public Regional Universities

For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) has been ranked the top public regional university in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2026 Best Colleges rankings, UIS also secured a strong position among public regional universities in the Midwest.

Chancellor Janet L. Gooch expressed pride in the recognition, noting that the ranking reaffirms UIS’s mission of empowering students to graduate ready for the workforce and realize their full potential.

The ranking methodology considers metrics such as graduation and retention rates, peer reputation, financial resources, and student-to-faculty ratios. In addition to leading in Illinois, UIS achieved high standings in specialty categories: it ranked as the top value among public regional institutions in the state, placed in the top 25 across the Midwest on that measure, ranked among the best colleges for veterans in the Midwest, and scored well for social mobility — reflecting its efforts to support students from diverse backgrounds.

This continued recognition highlights UIS’s commitment to quality education, accessibility, and institutional excellence as it competes regionally and strives to serve its students and community with distinction.