Rankings and Distinctions

Newer/newest distinctions will be continuously added to the top of the page.

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accreditation

 Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S. degree)  Accredited: Cycle End Date October 31, 2030 

School Counseling (M.S. degree) Accredited: Cycle End Date October 31, 2030 

EIU Earns Top Marks in USNWR Rankings

2024 (General)
  -  #1 Independent Public Regional in Illinois
  -  #7 in Region -- Top 50 Best Value Schools
  -  #2 in Top Performers on Social Mobility amongst Midwest Public Regionals.

                                                        A full list of recognitions is available here.

EIU is a Top 5 Niche Best Colleges School

For 2024/25 -- EIU ranks as the fourth-best Public University in Illinois according to Niche Best Colleges. 

EIU Earns a Variety of Accolades from University HQ

2024 -- EIU earned high praise from University HQ, earning Top 25 and Top 20 badges for several of its degree programs (undergraduate- & graduate-level). 

Previous and/or Recurring Rankings

NASPA Appoints EIU to First-Ever Cohort of First-Gen Forward Schools

March 2021 First-Gen Forward is the nation's first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. The organization appointed EIU as a member of its first-ever cohort of committed schools. 

Intelligent.com Ranks EIU in Two Top Categories

March 2021 Intelligent.com has once again recognized EIU for two of its top-tier Master's Programs:

• Best Master's in History*
• Best Master's in Music

CollegeConsensus.com Ranks EIU in Top Spots in Three Categories

2020-21 (Various) CollegeConsensus.com places EIU in three of its major high-ranking categories:

• Best Online Master's in Human Resources Management (June 2021)
• Best Online Master's in History* (January 2021)
• Most Affordable MBA Programs for 2021 (November 2020)

EIU Recognized for Role in Regional Health and Well Being

January 2021 Eastern Illinois University's advocacy for the roles of rural-regional universities is recognized by the Alliance for Research on Rural Colleges. 

EIU Celebrated for Offering Most Affordable Master's Degree Programs

January 2021 BestValueSchools.org shares the value and affordability of EIU's Master'sDegree Programs. 

Other Notable Rankings and Distinctions for EIU

• April 2021 -- EIU recognized for having one of the lowest student loan default rates in the nation. (lendedu.com) 
• March 2021 -- EIU Ranked 12th for Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Communications (study.com)
• October 2020 -- EIU is a leader in preparing undergraduates to earn doctoral degrees. Among similar institutions (those with a master's as their highest degree), EIU is ranked the highest in Illinois and is in the top 6% nationwide. (NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates)

*also recognized by MastersProgramGuide.com as a Best Affordable Online Master's in History institution

 

 

EIU Tops List of Independent Public Regional University in Illinois for Best Value

In addition to being recognized as the 3rd-most affordable college town in the entire nation according to CBS News Money Watch, Eastern Illinois University’s own Charleston, Illinois ranks as the #1 most affordable college town in all of Illinois!

Ranked!

According to Washington Monthly, Eastern Illinois University ranks amongst the Midwest's “Best Bang for the Buck” universities, and also earned high marks as a top Master’s Institution in Illinois.

 

Nationally Recognized for Transfer Options & Efficiencies

Eastern Illinois University is recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa 2020 Transfer Honor Roll institution, which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities creating dynamic pathways to support transfer students.

 

 

Ranked #1 in Illinois for Empowering Autistic Students

Eastern Illinois University placed 1st in Illinois on the Best Online Colleges for Students with Autism 2020 list and 6th nationally on the Great Value Colleges list. The sites shares how, through peer mentorships and social skills groups, EIU’s STEP program empowers its students through opportunity and encouragement. EIU is also a top 30 best college for students on the Autism Spectrum according to AppliedBehaviorAnalysisPrograms.com.

 

EIU's Online MBA Program Earns High Ranks

Eastern Illinois University ranks as the #4 overall for Top Online MBA Programs in Illinois according to Online MBA Today.

 

 

A 4-Star Ranking for LGBTQ Commitment, Support

Eastern Illinois University is designated a “Premier Institution” with a 4 out of 5 star rating by the Campus Pride Index—an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program, and practice.

EIU a National Benchmark for Environmental Sustainability

Eastern Illinois University is designated as a Tree Campus USA for actively engaging with its immediate communities to focus on campus, and community, forestry efforts.

 

LIST OF ACCREDITATIONS

Eastern Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Schools and by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

• Early Childhood Education
• Educational Administration (Principal)
• Educational Administration-Superintendent
• Elementary Education
• English Education
• Foreign Language (Spanish, French, German)
• Health Education
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• School Psychology
• Science Education Secondary
• Social Science Education
• Special Education Early Childhood
• Special Education K- 12
• Technology Education

Accredited Programs

Additionally, many programs at EIU have earned recognition from other external accrediting agencies.

Please note: EIU is actively working to update the "Accreditation Through Year" column with the most current accreditation information and dates.

Educator Preparation Programs Recognized by NCATE/CAEP Specialty Professional Associations (SPAs)