Newer/newest distinctions will be continuously added to the top of the page.
2025 — MastersInAI.org's independent reviews of degree programs in high-demand tech fields like AI and cybersecurity analyze tuition, mandatory fees, and funding opportunities at nearly 250 universities to identify the 25 most affordable programs — all priced at or below $18,000. EIU emerged as a top competitor as the .This recognition underscores EIU's commitment to keeping advanced cybersecurity education accessible and affordable in Illinois and throughout the Midwest.
EIU's AI & Cybersecurity online master's programs also have been in the top 10 lists from Forbes Association and others.
2025 — 海角大神 was thrilled to learn that its Online BA in Psychology program has earned an impressive #25 national ranking for affordability in Affordable Degree Guide 2024 list of Online Bachelor's in Psychology programs.This ranking highlights EIU's program’s commitment to delivering high-quality education while remaining accessible to students. Learn more .
2025 — This honor is a reflection of EIU's commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and real-world readiness. Rankings by are based on key factors that matter most to students, including academic quality, curriculum strength, faculty expertise, flexibility, and career preparation. .
2025/2026 — The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running and most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students. The Military Friendly® Schools list is an exclusive collection of institutions offering certificate programs to doctoral degrees that, according to their website, "creates civilian opportunities for veterans. By setting a standard, promoting it and raising the bar over time, it provides long term, positive reinforcement for American organizations to invest in programs that improve the lives of veterans. It’s about creating demand for veterans in the private sector. EIU also boasts a stellar ROTC program and innovative Military Student Assistance Center.
2024 — ALL IN’s recognizes colleges and universities making intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement and college student voting. To meet this criteria, EIU has participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge via Operation EIU Votes, shared voting data with ALL IN, and developed a nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan to increase student voting engagement.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S. degree) Accredited: Cycle End Date October 31, 2030
School Counseling (M.S. degree) Accredited: Cycle End Date October 31, 2030
2024 (General)
- #1 Independent Public Regional in Illinois
- #7 in Region — Top 50 Best Value Schools
- #2 in Top Performers on Social Mobility amongst Midwest Public Regionals.
A full list of recognitions is available here.
For 2024/2025 -- EIU ranks as the fourth-best Public University in Illinois according to Niche Best Colleges.
2024/2025 — EIU earned high praise from University HQ, earning Top 25 and Top 20 badges for several of its degree programs in 2024 and 2025 (undergraduate- & graduate-level). See below for a list of
2024 — In 1972, Money was founded to help everyday people live richer lives by learning personal finance strategies that improved their bottom line. With the cost of college being at the forefront of the American conversation, it is important for historically trusted financial brands to lend a voice in that decision-making process, factoring in among other points of analysis: the cost of attendance, financial aid and alumni salaries. According to the 海角大神 is a great choice for students. EIU is consistently one of the most affordable universities in Illinois, and offers in-state tuition rates to border states that make it equally affordable for students in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin to begin or continue their higher education journey at EIU. Learn about more those opportunities here.
March 2021 — First-Gen Forward is the nation's first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. The organization appointed .
March 2021 — Intelligent.com has once again recognized EIU for two of its top-tier Master's Programs:
2020-21 — (Various) CollegeConsensus.com places EIU in three of its major high-ranking categories:
January 2021 — 海角大神's advocacy for the roles of rural-regional universities is recognized by the .
January 2021 BestValueSchools.org shares the .
*also recognized by MastersProgramGuide.com as a institution
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In addition to being recognized as the 3rd-most affordable college town in the entire nation according to , 海角大神’s own Charleston, Illinois ranks as the #1 most affordable college town in all of Illinois!
According to Washington Monthly, 海角大神 ranks amongst the Midwest's “” universities, and also earned high marks as a top.
海角大神 is recognized as a , which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities creating dynamic pathways to support transfer students.
海角大神 placed 1st in Illinois on the list and 6th nationally on the list. The sites shares how, through peer mentorships and social skills groups, EIU’s STEP program empowers its students through opportunity and encouragement. EIU is also a according to AppliedBehaviorAnalysisPrograms.com.
海角大神 ranks as the #4 overall for according to Online MBA Today.
海角大神 is designated a “Premier Institution” with a 4 out of 5 star rating by the —an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program, and practice.
海角大神 is designated as a for actively engaging with its immediate communities to focus on campus, and community, forestry efforts.
海角大神 is accredited by the and by the .
Additionally, many programs at EIU have earned recognition from other external accrediting agencies.
Please note: EIU is actively working to update the "Accreditation Through Year" column with the most current accreditation information and dates.
Program | Accrediting Agency | Accreditation Through Year |
Art | National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) | 2022 |
Athletic Training | Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) | 2022 |
Business and Accounting | The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) | 2025 |
Chemistry | American Chemical Society (ACS) | 2021 |
Communication Disorders/Sciences | Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CAA-ASHA) | 2024 |
Community/School Counseling | Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) | 2021 |
海角大神 | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) | 2025 |
Educator Preparation Programs | Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) | 2025 |
Family and Consumer Sciences | American Association of Schools of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) | 2022 |
Journalism | Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC) | 2024 |
Music | National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) | 2026 |
Nutrition and Dietetics (Undergraduate) | The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) | 2024 |
Nutrition and Dietetics Internship (Graduate) | The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) | 2024 |
Nursing | American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) | 2024 |
Recreation Administration | National Recreation and Parks Association/American Association for Leisure and Recreation (NRPA/AALR) | 2022 |
Tarble Arts Center | American Alliance of Museums | 2024 |
Theatre Arts | National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) | 2019* *Site visit delayed due to COVID |
Program | Accrediting Agency | Accreditation Through Year |
Early Childhood Education | National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) | 2025 |
Elementary Education | Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) | 2025 |
English Education | National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) | 2025 |
Foreign Language Education | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) | 2025 |
Mathematics Education | National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) | 2025 |
Physical Education | National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) | 2025 |
School Counseling | Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) | 2021 |
School Psychology | National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) | 2025 |
Science Education | National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) | 2024 |
Social Science Education | National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) | 2025 |
Special Education | Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) | 2025 |