DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University has once again been recognized as one of the Midwest’s top colleges in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, affirming its commitment to academic excellence, student success and affordability.
Millikin is ranked No. 15 among the Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest, maintaining its standing as the second-highest ranked college in Illinois in this category. This marks the third consecutive year Millikin has held the No. 2 spot in Illinois, a testament to the University’s strong reputation and consistent academic quality.
“Millikin’s consistent presence among the top colleges in the Midwest reflects our commitment to combining academic rigor with real-world learning,” said Dr. Dean Pribbenow, President of Millikin University. “These rankings affirm the transformative experiences we provide our students through Performance Learning, preparing them to lead and succeed in their chosen fields.”
In addition to overall recognition, Millikin received high marks as a “Best Value School in the Midwest.” Millikin climbed to No. 16 in the Midwest and No. 3 in Illinois, highlighting a balance of academic excellence and affordability.
Interim Provost Dr. Nancy Curtin noted that Millikin’s rising “Best Value” ranking underscores the University’s investment in students.
“Millikin’s recognition in these rankings highlights the strength of our academic programs and our commitment to student achievement,” said Dr. Nancy Curtin, Interim Provost of Millikin University. “We are especially proud of our rising Best Value ranking, which demonstrates that Millikin continues to provide an exceptional education that is both accessible and affordable. Our faculty and staff are deeply dedicated to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
Millikin recently announced that it welcomed the largest undergraduate class since 2020 this fall. The incoming Class of 2029 included 545 undergraduate students, a 17% percent increase in students from fall 2024. Thanks to the successful implementation of articulation and transfer agreements with several Central Illinois community colleges, including Richland, Parkland, Heartland, and Lincoln Land Community Colleges, Millikin welcomed 132 transfer students to the Big Blue family, the largest number since 2015.
In U.S. News & World Report's “Social Mobility” rankings, which evaluate how well colleges graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, Millikin ranks No. 5 among Illinois institutions, demonstrating Millikin’s continued commitment to supporting students from lower-income backgrounds and helping them achieve degree completion.
The U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges category comprises 397 schools that are divided and ranked into four geographical groups: North, South, Midwest and West. Millikin has participated in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges publication and data collection for over 20 years. For the majority of those years, Millikin has been ranked in the top 15 or higher.
With over 80 schools ranked in the Regional Colleges Midwest category, Millikin stands out not only in Illinois but across the region for its excellence in teaching, commitment to affordability and dedication to student outcomes.
