By Eric Stock

NORMAL – The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings give Illinois State University a modest bump.

ISU moved up one to number 78 in the rankings of the best public universities in the U.S.

“To be 78th is really quite an accomplishment given particularly our state budget issues of this past year,” president Larry Dietz said. “We are delighted by the numbers.”

Dietz noted the university ranks among the top 10 percent of school in student retention – one of the factors considered in the study.

“We know that our students that come in the front door, the bulk of them will leave out the back door with a degree in their hand, get a job, a well-paying job and if they had to borrow here they pay back those loans in record numbers,” Dietz said.

The school has also increased its graduation rate to 73 percent, well above the national average of 60 percent for public universities.

Illinois Wesleyan was rated number 72 among the best liberal arts colleges.

“While we are inclined to take such rankings with a grain of salt, the data reaffirm our quality and value – based on our high retention rates, high graduation rates and small class sizes,” IWU acting Director of Communications Ann Aubry said. “As a top-tier national liberal arts university, Illinois Wesleyan enrolls outstanding students, who have a great experience when they come here.

The rankings are based on multiple factors, including peer assessments student retention and graduation rates and alumni giving.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].