Crediting its strong academic programs, student success initiatives and the quality of its faculty and staff, Western Illinois University announced it is being recognized for the 21st year as a “Best Midwestern College” by The Princeton Review.
WIU is one of only three Illinois public institutions and one of 158 regional public and private institutions named to the “Best in the Midwest” list. The 158 Midwest colleges are located in 12 states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Collectively, the 654 colleges named “regional best(s)” comprise 23% of the nation’s four-year colleges, according to The Princeton Review.
Princeton Review editors make the selections based on data collected from surveys of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region. As they visit schools and gather perspectives of college counselors and advisers, determinations are made.
“WIU’s recognition as a Best Midwestern College is a testament to our faculty and staff and the incredible educational opportunities available to our students,” WIU President Kristi Mindrup said. “The acknowledgment of our success by the Princeton Review demonstrates that we are fulfilling our mission to provide a quality education and an excellent student experience.”
The selections also take into account what students at the schools report about their experiences via an in-depth survey. The Princeton Review asks students to rate their schools on several issues from the accessibility of their professors to the quality of campus food. They also answer questions about themselves, their fellow students and their campus lives.
