More About University of Illinois at Springfield
From UIS News Blog:
Friday, August 22, 2008
U.S. News & World Report gives UIS top rankings
The prestigious rankings placed UIS at 26 on a list of 71 top public and private colleges and universities in the 12-state Midwest region that includes, in addition to Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. UIS was ranked 4th best among the 15 public universities on the list.
“This really represents a singular moment for this institution and one toward which we’ve been building for a long time,” said UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen. “We had no idea that UIS would be ranked so high and certainly didn’t expect to be ranked the best public university in our category in the entire state of Illinois and the 4th best in the Midwest. To say we’re thrilled is an understatement.”
Ringeisen said that it came as a surprise to be ranked so high particularly because it was the first time that the university was eligible for such rankings. “We were not eligible to be ranked by U.S. News until two years after we graduated our first class of freshmen,” he said. “That fact alone – being given such high marks the first time we were eligible to receive them – is particularly gratifying.”
UIS enrolled its first class of freshmen to the Capital Scholars Honors Program in fall 2001.
The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving.
U.S. News also gave UIS a high ranking in a category called “Great Schools, Great Prices” for being among only five public universities in the Master’s category in the Midwest with students who graduate with the least debt. UIS was the 3rd best on the list with a total of 71% of its students graduating with an average debt of $12,309.
Ringeisen credited Provost Harry Berman, the deans and faculty in UIS’ four colleges, and the enrollment management staff for their tireless efforts in building the quality and reputation of the university. “These incredible rankings are a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our faculty and our academic and student affairs staffs.”
UIS offers 22 bachelor’s degrees, 20 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree in Public Administration.
Mission Statement:
The College of Business and Management seeks to have a learning environmentin which traditional and nontraditional students are given learning opportunities to prepare them for careers, positions and/or advancement in corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations. 
This mission places the highest priority on teaching, which is predominately delivered by full-time faculty members with the appropriate degree, as well as scholarship and service, and:
- seeks to promote learning through the continuous enhancement of the curriculum and its delivery;
- encourages the development of professional competencies, attitudes, and ethics among students and faculty;
- acknowledges the effects of increasing globalization, technological advancements, and diversity in workplaces;
- supports the professional development and renewal of the faculty;
- and encourages meaningful contributions to our academic, professional, and local communities through outreach and service.
