2026 Rankings for Western Illinois University

What ranking badges has WIU been awarded? Any College Factual rankings and awards WIU has received are listed below.

WIU was awarded 185 ranking badges across College Factual’s 2026 college rankings.

Top Rankings for WIU:



#1 out of 39	#2 out of 16	#2 out of 16	#2 out of 27

WIU also offers graduate programs. See its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/western-illinois-university/rankings/) for master's and doctorate accolades.

How WIU Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

#634 Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges

#1 Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois

#1 Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools in Illinois

Top Ranked Majors

WIU has 557 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Communication & Journalism (Other) Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Industrial Production Technology Schools in Illinois	1	6	View Report
Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Agriculture Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best General Agriculture Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	3	View Report
Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	4	View Report
Best Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	3	View Report
Best Communication & Journalism (Other) Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	4	View Report
Best Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	13	View Report
Best Individualized Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Individualized Studies Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Recreation Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Recreation Administration Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	6	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Schools in Illinois	2	10	View Report
Best Fire Services Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Fire Services Administration Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Fire Protection Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Geographic Information Science Schools in Illinois	2	2	View Report
Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	3	View Report
Best Agriculture Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	5	View Report
Best General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	3	View Report
Best General Agriculture Schools in the Great Lakes Region	3	5	View Report
Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	5	View Report
Best Supply Chain Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	3	3	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	3	4	View Report
Best Supply Chain Management Schools in Illinois	4	4	View Report
Best Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	5	View Report
Best Industrial Production Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	21	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Recreation Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Recreation Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region	4	4	View Report
Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	4	21	View Report
Best Geography & Cartography Schools in Illinois	4	4	View Report
Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	16	View Report
Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in Illinois	5	20	View Report
Best General Computer & Information Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	6	View Report
Best Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in Illinois	5	5	View Report
Best Instructional Media Design Schools in Illinois	5	5	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best Engineering Technologies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	5	6	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	7	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	21	View Report
Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Illinois	5	35	View Report
Best Fire Services Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best Fire Services Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best Fire Protection Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	6	View Report
Best Geographic Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region	5	5	View Report
Best Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	13	View Report
Best Other Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	7	View Report
Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Great Lakes Region	6	31	View Report
Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	22	View Report
Best Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	6	7	View Report
Best General Computer & Information Sciences Schools in Illinois	7	8	View Report
Best General Education Schools in Illinois	7	10	View Report
Best General Education Schools in Illinois	7	10	View Report
Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Illinois	7	7	View Report
Best Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools	7	47	View Report
Best General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Illinois	7	8	View Report
Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Illinois	7	40	View Report
Best Art Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	7	9	View Report
Best General Music Schools in Illinois	7	8	View Report
Best Music Performance Schools in Illinois	7	7	View Report
Best Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Schools in the Great Lakes Region	8	59	View Report
Best Fire Protection Schools in Illinois	8	10	View Report
Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	8	16	View Report
Best Social Work Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	8	16	View Report
Best Art Studies Schools in Illinois	8	10	View Report
Best Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools	9	16	View Report
Best Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools	9	16	View Report
Best Student Counseling Schools in Illinois	9	10	View Report
Best Reading Teacher Education Schools in Illinois	9	9	View Report
Best Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools	10	60	View Report
Best General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools	10	60	View Report
Best Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	10	14	View Report
Best General Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	10	14	View Report
Best Engineering Technologies Schools in Illinois	10	16	View Report
Best General Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	10	10	View Report
Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois	10	10	View Report
Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	10	10	View Report
Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois	10	10	View Report
Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	10	14	View Report
Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	10	14	View Report

How WIU Ranks for Value

Top Placement in Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools Ranking

#208 out of 2,000.

This makes WIU a top 10% value school for students seeking value.

The Best Colleges for the Money Ranking recognizes colleges that deliver a strong education at a reasonable price.

Top Value Majors

WIU has 557 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	3	View Report
Best Value Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Agriculture Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	16	View Report
Best Value Agriculture & Agriculture Operations Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	5	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Schools in Illinois	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	8	View Report
Best Value General Education Schools in Illinois	1	10	View Report
Best Value General Education Schools in Illinois	1	10	View Report
Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	13	View Report
Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Illinois	1	9	View Report
Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	39	View Report
Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Illinois	1	10	View Report
Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	31	View Report
Best Value Teacher Development & Methodology Schools in Illinois	1	9	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	6	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	6	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Value Engineering Technologies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	6	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	11	View Report
Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in Illinois	1	3	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Facilities Management Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Recreation Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Recreation Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Recreation Administration Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value General Chemistry Schools in Illinois	1	13	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	9	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	9	View Report
Best Value Other Chemistry Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Chemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	12	View Report
Best Value Chemistry Schools in Illinois	1	13	View Report
Best Value Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	6	View Report
Best Value Fire Services Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	6	View Report
Best Value Fire Services Administration Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Fire Protection Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	6	View Report
Best Value Fire Protection Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region	1	7	View Report
Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools in Illinois	1	2	View Report
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in Illinois	1	4	View Report
Best Value Art Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	10	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	1	11	View Report
Best Value Music Performance Schools in Illinois	1	11	View Report
Best Value Agriculture Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value General Agriculture Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Supply Chain Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	8	View Report
Best Value Speech Communication Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	18	View Report
Best Value Speech Communication Schools in Illinois	2	18	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	3	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	16	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	4	View Report
Best Value Other Communication, Journalism, & Related Programs Schools	2	27	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	3	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	16	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	4	View Report
Best Value Communication & Journalism (Other) Schools	2	27	View Report
Best Value General Computer & Information Sciences Schools in Illinois	2	11	View Report
Best Value Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	12	View Report
Best Value Other Educational Administration & Supervision Schools in Illinois	2	6	View Report
Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	15	View Report
Best Value Educational/Instructional Technology Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	15	View Report
Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools in Illinois	2	5	View Report
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	37	View Report
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in Illinois	2	16	View Report
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in Illinois	2	14	View Report
Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	60	View Report
Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	21	View Report
Best Value Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching Schools in Illinois	2	21	View Report
Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	10	View Report
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois	2	10	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	10	View Report
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois	2	10	View Report
Best Value General Communication Sciences & Disorders Schools in Illinois	2	8	View Report
Best Value Individualized Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois	2	15	View Report
Best Value Fire Services Administration Schools in Illinois	2	3	View Report
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	10	View Report
Best Value Sociology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	14	View Report
Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois	2	14	View Report
Best Value Sociology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	14	View Report
Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois	2	14	View Report
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	19	View Report
Best Value Art Studies Schools in Illinois	2	11	View Report
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in Illinois	2	17	View Report
Best Value General Music Schools in the Great Lakes Region	2	47	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

These rankings are built on federal education data, 2026 edition.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.