Principia College Ranked #7 in Illinois

University HQ®—a leading online organization that helps students select higher education options—ranked Principia College #7 on its list of “Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Illinois” for 2022 out of 57 schools.

The rankings are based on government data sources, private job search sites, and key factors such as cost of tuition, admission rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and salary upon graduation, among other factors. The University HQ® listing for Principia College notes Principia’s 75 percent graduation rate; a net price of $15,630 per year; and an average salary for graduates of $65,600 annually.

Principia ranked higher in the “Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Illinois” category than some big-name institutions such as Wheaton College (#11), Southern Illinois University—Carbondale (#13), and Lake Forest College (#23). The top of the list includes Illinois’s most prestigious universities: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Chicago in the #1, #2, and #3 spots, respectively.

“College rankings are one data point among several data points that students and families use when making a choice about where they apply and where they ultimately attend college,” says Dean of Academics Dr. Meggan Madden. “If a student visits our campus and/or talks with our faculty, they will quickly see we have a high-quality educational program. A College ranking like this one is the external validation we need to demonstrate that Principia College offers an excellent education and is a great college choice.”

Principia uses positive rankings like this to promote the College and attract new students. This kind of external validation has “introduced Principia College to more students, particularly in the region,” Dean Madden says. “The increase in rankings will certainly support greater awareness of Principia College as an outstanding liberal arts college in the Southern Illinois region.”

Please visit University HQ® for more information about the rankings.