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    • Nationally Recognized

    Lewis is committed to student success and we strive to make sure that our students receive a quality educational experience. External national recognitions have validated that. Lewis is pleased to be one of the few universities in Illinois to be recognized by all of the following organizations:

    Recognized for 2022-2023 Military Support

    Military Support

    Lewis University has earned the 2022-2023 Military Support Colleges of Distinction recognition. Colleges of Distinction selected institutions for the Military Support recognition that are aware of the unique challenges military students face on college campuses. These institutions are proud to support and cultivate the skills that military and veteran students bring to the classroom, all while helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.

    The methodology used to evaluate institutions by Colleges of Distinction included the following criteria: Comprehensive Educational Benefits, Military and Veterans Affairs Team, Flexible and Accessible Options, Faculty Training, and Campus Activities and Community Support. The initial cohort is comprised of those institutions that demonstrated best practices in creating a supportive environment.

    Named a Top 10 Best Hidden Gem Catholic College in U.S.

    CollegeGazette.com recently named a list of top tier Catholic Colleges in the United States in its “Hidden Gems” series of articles. The article describes Lewis University as a hidden gem Catholic College on the rise.

    In describing Lewis University, CollegeGazette.com said, “It is home to several of the best programs a Catholic College has to offer in 2020. One of Lewis University’s best known programs is in Aviation. The school has a flight team that competes with 80 other schools; in some years, their flight team is ranked among the top 5 nationwide.”

    The article goes on to say, “Lewis University is regularly cited by both US News as well as The Princeton Review among the top regional universities in the Midwest.” A notable graduate of the Theatre program, Kay Cannon, who wrote the Pitch Perfect films, was mentioned as well.

    Ranked #3 in Illinois

    Schools.com

    Schools.com recently ranked Lewis University as number 3 in their ranking of the "Best 4-year Colleges in Illinois.” Focused on affordability, flexibility and student services they used the most recent government data to evaluate colleges and universities across the country.

    There were 1,649 4-year colleges and universities which were ranked. Criteria included full-time tuition, books and supplies as well as financial aid and student debt. Graduation rates as well as student support services, the ability to earn Advanced Placement and dual credit, career counseling and placement rates also were considered.

    U.S. News & World Report Ranks Lewis in Top Tier Regional Midwest Universities

    U.S. News & World Report has ranked Lewis University among the top tier in its rankings of Midwest Regional Universities.

    U.S. News & World Report ranks institutions with a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. The Best Colleges rankings provide a thorough examination of how nearly 1,800 accredited four-year schools compare on at least 11 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings and key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance.

    U.S. News' Best Colleges rankings is available on usnews.com, which features extensive statistical profiles for each school. It also includes a college search for students and parents looking for the school that best fits their needs.

    PRINCETON REVIEW RECOGNIZES LEWIS AS A BEST IN THE MIDWEST

    Lewis University again has been named one of the best colleges in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review. Lewis University is included among its "Best in the Midwest" recommended schools in the "2023 Best Colleges: Region by Region" website (https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges).

    Princeton Review

    "We chose Lewis University and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their excellent academics," said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review's Editor-in-Chief. The Princeton Review editors made their selections based on data the company collected from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, as well as its staff visits to schools over the years, and the perspectives of college counselors and advisers whose opinions the company solicits.

    The Princeton Review scores the schools on its "Best Colleges: Region by Region" lists in six categories – academics, admissions selectivity, financial aid, fire safety, quality of life and green.

    Recognized as a College of Distinction

    Lewis University has been nationally recognized by Colleges of Distinction. Lewis also has earned recognition as an Illinois College of Distinction and a Catholic College of Distinction.

    College of Distinction

    The Colleges of Distinction selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, recognizing those that adhere to these Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. These principles are all informed by high-impact practices to prioritize the ways that institutions enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside of the classroom.

    Colleges of Distinction is an online resource www.collegesofdistinction.com that helps students, their families and their counselors select colleges and universities. Colleges of Distinction strives to help students find a college where they can grow, learn and ultimately succeed for the rest of their lives. The online college guide describes schools that take a complete approach to admissions decisions, that consistently excel in providing undergraduate education and that have a truly national reputation.

    Named a Top 5 Best Private College Value in the Midwest

    Lewis University has been selected for the Great Value Colleges online listing receiving the top ranking among private Illinois colleges and universities in the Midwest. Great Value Colleges is a highly rated website which assists students in finding colleges and universities that provide affordable degree and career options for students. Great Value CollegesPromising “to help students get the best possible education for their money,” this website features a list of 50 top affordable colleges in the Midwest according to various criteria. Lewis is ranked fifth overall among private schools in the Midwest in terms of being judged a good value and outstanding in its “return on investment” for students.

    Rankings are based on factors including academic programs, organizations, and retention.  The rate of tuition and actual expense of attendance also are considered, including costs for on-and-off campus students; the price for books, fees and incidentals; return on investment, and the availability of financial aid. Lewis is the only Illinois university among the Top 5 in the Midwest. The website notes that the University combines “qualities like research, scholarship, and service.”

    Ranked #14 for Adult Students by Best Value Schools

    Not all college students go to school straight from high school. Whether they chose to serve in the military, traveled around the world, took care of family, or decided to work before heading off to school, some students wait to attend college until later in life. The number of nontraditional students in college has increased since 2000.

    Best Value Schools has ranked the Top 50 schools in the nation that have a nontraditional student body of 25% or higher. For additional information visit their website: https://www.bestvalueschools.org/top-50-colleges-older-students/

    Ranked #1 Among Private Colleges in Illinois – Best for Vets

    Military Times has released its Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings. Lewis is ranked the #1 Best for Vets school in the state of Illinois and #10 Best for Vets Private School in the United States. The rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey – the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement – as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies.

    Best for Vets

    As is true for all Military Times rankings, Best for Vets: Colleges is an editorially independent, objective and rigorous news project. This feature evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. 

    George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of the rankings stated, “Fewer than half of the roughly 500 colleges and universities that competed for the recognition earned the right to call themselves Best for Vets in 2019. Their efforts should be commended.”

    Military Times’ annual Best for Vets: Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to disclose academic outcome and input data, describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus and meticulously document a wide array of services, special policies, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

    The full rankings are published athttps://rebootcamp.militarytimes.com/

    We are also recognized by

    • Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education College Rankings
    • Washington Monthly Annual College Guide and Rankings - Master's Universities