BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Recent national rankings highlight Illinois Wesleyan University's commitment to excellence in education, social mobility and overall value.
Many modern ranking systems have adjusted their methodologies in recent years, with a greater emphasis on equity, access and the role of universities in promoting upward social mobility. That includes factors like enrollment and graduation rates of low-income, first-generation and minority students. The weight of traditional metrics in ranking systems have reduced, such as acceptance rates, standardized test scores and alumni giving rates.
Illinois Wesleyan has been recognized for its efforts to foster social mobility, which refers to the ability of individuals to move up the socio-economic ladder as a result of their educational experiences or achievements. Measures for social mobility include a school’s success at enrolling, retaining and graduating students from different backgrounds with manageable debt and post-graduate success — reflecting that Illinois Wesleyan students graduate and do well.
The following annual rankings recognize Illinois Wesleyan among the nation’s best colleges for liberal arts learning and pre-professional career preparation:
Washington Monthly
Among all baccalaureate colleges in the nation, IWU was ranked #8 by Washington Monthly, and was the top baccalaureate college in Illinois. These rankings feature four-year institutions that focus on arts and sciences rather than solely professional programs, along with their contribution to the public good in social mobility, research and promoting public service.
Additionally, Illinois Wesleyan was highlighted among the top midwest colleges by Washington Monthly for “Best Bang for the Buck.” This list ranked schools according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
The Princeton Review
Illinois Wesleyan was included in The Princeton Review’s unranked list of The Best 390 Colleges of 2025, recognized for academic offerings and by considering surveys of college students who report on their campus experience. IWU has been included in The Princeton Review’s annual college guide every year since the list’s inception in 1989.
Forbes
Forbes ranked IWU among the Top 500 Colleges of 2024-25, which showcases U.S. schools that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.
Niche
IWU has been deemed the #2 Best Small College in Illinois and the #6 Best College overall in the state by Niche, using metrics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews from students and alumni.
College Raptor
The University was also ranked #5 Best College in Illinois by College Raptor, which bases scores on graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student and other data as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.
Money
According to Money, Illinois Wesleyan is among the Best Colleges in America 2024. Money analyzed dozens of data points including graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid and alumni salaries to rate colleges where tuition dollars are likely to pay off.
Applications for the fall semester of 2025 are now open, with no application fee and optional requirement to submit standardized test scores. Learn more by visiting IWU.edu/apply.