51³Ô¹ÏÍø

1. We're academically excellent.

ranked 51³Ô¹ÏÍø #75 among 211 national liberal arts colleges. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø was also selected to be part of 2024 edition of The Best 388 Colleges, as well as one of the . The 2019 Fiske Guide to Colleges featured 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as one of the 300 best colleges in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.

2. We're a college that changes lives.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø has been included in every edition of since the groundbreaking book was first published in 1996. We're also a proud member of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) non-profit organization; which promotes a student-centered approach to the college search process.

3. We're committed to service.

agrees, ranking 51³Ô¹ÏÍø #45 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges for its contributions to the public good, as well as the number one liberal arts college in Illinois. This is the twelfth year in a row that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has appeared in the top 50 of this national ranking.

4. We're a best-value school.

That's according to , which ranked 51³Ô¹ÏÍø #25 among colleges with top reputations for both academic excellence and affordability.  named 51³Ô¹ÏÍø a top midwestern "Best Bang for the Buck" college in the magazine's College Guide and Rankings. selected 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as a "Best College Value".

5. Our grads are grateful.

Forbes magazine ranked 51³Ô¹ÏÍø second in Illinois and 45th in the nation among 200 private colleges and universities for the success of graduates and the support they give back to their colleges—known as a "Grateful Graduates Index." 

6. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to us.

gave 51³Ô¹ÏÍø high scores for ethnic diversity and international diversity. In addition, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø was included on the —a web-exclusive list of 64 colleges.  survey of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students concluded that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is one of the 25 most diverse liberal arts colleges. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is also included on the National Listing of LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges & Universities on the , and includes 51³Ô¹ÏÍø on its 2024 list of Colleges with the most Ethnic Diversity. 

7. We're a green college (and a cool school!).

51³Ô¹ÏÍø has been listed on the Sierra Club's "Cool School Rankings" for 13 consecutive years, thanks to our commitment to renewable energy, reduced food waste, and expanded co-curricular programs that focus on sustainability. Our commitment to sustainability also led to our being named one of 455 "Green Colleges" in 2024 by

8. We contribute to the public good.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø is ranked #45 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges by for our contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service, as well as second among liberal arts colleges in AmeriCorps/Peace Corps service. This is the twelfth year in a row that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has appeared in the top 50 of this national ranking. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø was also ranked top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation for social mobility by .

9. We're a "Hidden Gem."

Online higher education source called out 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as a "Hidden Gem" liberal arts college, noting our commitment to funding student research, like the $2,000 Power of Experience Grant.