University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

University of Illinois at Springfield

2016 University Academic Rankings
The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is a public university in Springfield, Illinois, United States. The university was established in 1969 as Sangamon State University by the Illinois General Assembly and became a part of the University of Illinois system on July 1, 1995. As a public liberal arts college, and the newest campus in the University of Illinois system, UIS is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. UIS is also part of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Council on Education. The campus' main repository, Brookens Library, holds a collection of nearly 800,000 books and serials- in addition to accessible resources at the University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campuses.

The University of Illinois at Springfield serves roughly 5,700 students in 27 undergraduate degree programs, 20 master's degree programs, and a doctorate in Public Administration. The university was once one of the two upper-division and graduate universities in Illinois, but now accepts freshmen, transfer and graduate students.

History | Sangamon State University

In 1967, the Illinois General Assembly created a Board of Regents to operate Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University, as well as a third unnamed institution in Springfield. In 1969, Governor Richard Ogilvie signed into law a bill officially creating Sangamon State University. It originally operated as an "upper-division" university-that is, a university that offers only the last two years of undergraduate education, as well as graduate work. The first classes were held on September 28, 1970 at First Methodist Church in downtown Springfield. In October, SSU began offering classes in the current campus location near Lake Springfield.

The school grew steadily over the years. Its first permanent building, Brookens Library, was dedicated in 1976, and its Public Affairs Center and first dormitories opened in 1980.

Transition to the University of Illinois System

In 1995, Governor Jim Edgar signed a bill which abolished the Board of Regents and merged SSU with the University of Illinois system. On July 1, SSU officially became the University of Illinois at Springfield. Naomi Lynn, the last president of SSU, became the first chancellor of UIS.

Establishment of a four-year general education program

In 2001, it admitted freshmen for the first time in an honors program called the "Capital Scholars." On September 8, 2005 the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved a new general education curriculum, making UIS a full-fledged four-year university for the first time. Freshman were slated to be admitted under the general education curriculum beginning in fall, 2006.

Campus

The University of Illinois at Springfield is located six miles southeast of Springfield, occupying 740 acres of prairie land adjacent to Lake Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. In 1841, the land was acquired by , a prosperous saddler and harness maker in Springfield. The Thomas Strawbridge homestead, constructed around 1845, still stands on the south edge of the University of Illinois at Springfield campus and is currently being restored.

SSU permanent construction

The first permanent construction on campus, Brookens Library and the Public Affairs Center, was completed in Fall of 1972. These buildings were the first part of a master plan that called for an "urban campus" surrounded by restored prairie land, free of all vehicular traffic and easily navigable by pedestrians. All permanent campus buildings would be located within a "ring road", now known as University Drive. The Public Affairs Center also houses Sangamon Auditorium, a 2,018 seat concert hall and performing arts center ... [more on wikipedia]

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "University of Illinois at Springfield", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

University of Illinois at Springfield Details

University of Illinois at Springfield Details
detail value
stateIllinois
conferenceGreat Lakes Valley Conference
publicPublic
scores1628/1085/24
levelAverage
rank[403
overall ROI rank[397
sizesmall
undergrads3038
grads2393
price34017
drop38
stem51
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for University of Illinois at Springfield?

1. number 403 for Academics.

2. number 397 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to University of Illinois at Springfield?

1. University of Detroit Mercy

2. Florida Institute of Technology

3. University of the Pacific

4. Wentworth Institute of Technology

5. University of New Orleans

6. University of Idaho

7. Louisiana Tech University


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

University of Illinois at Springfield National Academic Rankings

University of Illinois at Springfield National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Stem High473939434932324449
Mid West Region857542809842429195
State of Illinois14178202213113118


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

(mathematically similar student body, size, academics, stem, salary... etc)

University of Illinois at Springfield Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Illinois at Springfield Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Illinois at Springfield
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
86.06
University of Detroit MercyMichiganHorizon LeaguePrivateAboveAverage415313
85.57
Florida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...PrivateAboveAverage260130
85.32
University of the PacificCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage251344
84.68
Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsCommonwealth Coast ConferencePrivateAverage348352
82.83
University of New OrleansLouisianaSouthland ConferencePublicAverage405309
82.18
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
82.12
Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisianaConference USAPublicAverage392213
81.77
Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleIllinoisOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage438368
81.57
CUNY City CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage293347
81.43
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage296394
79.93
Madonna UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPrivateAboveAverage418377
79.60
Ohio Northern UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage332170
79.57
Clarkson UniversityNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage211187
78.50
Drury UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage295378
78.27
LeTourneau UniversityTexasAmerican Southwest ConferencePrivateAboveAverage328173
77.64
Nova Southeastern UniversityFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAverage488397
77.41
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFloridaFlorida Sun ConferencePrivateAverage401210
77.38
Regis UniversityColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage360303
76.16
University of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPublicAboveAverage312185
75.96
The Richard Stockton College of New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAverage350429
75.33
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
75.11
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
74.92
New Mexico State UniversityNew MexicoSun Belt Conference / Western ...PublicBelowAverage486360
74.86
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
74.84
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
74.84
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage368278
74.83
University of Colorado DenverColoradoNo Conference AffiliationPublicAverage283217
74.77
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
74.77
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
74.55
Centenary College of LouisianaLouisianaSouthern Collegiate Athletic C...PrivateAverage-1-1
74.44
Wayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAverage414286
74.36
The University of Texas at El PasoTexasConference USAPublicBelowAverage499294
74.25
Portland State UniversityOregonBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage308408
74.24
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage288356
74.18
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
74.17
The University of Texas at San AntonioTexasConference USAPublicAverage330180
74.09
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
74.01
The University of Texas at ArlingtonTexasSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage240157
72.85
Maryville University of Saint LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAverage424426
71.70
MCPHS UniversityMassachusettsNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAverage422482
71.02
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottArizonaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage402205
69.53
University of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage189264
68.60
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
68.35
Millsaps CollegeMississippiSouthern Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage416473
68.23
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
67.95
Northland CollegeWisconsinUpper Midwest Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage497498
67.88
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
67.87
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
67.69
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
67.49
North Carolina State University at RaleighNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage5831


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

University of Illinois at Springfield Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Illinois at Springfield Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Illinois at Springfield
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.88
Regis UniversityColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage360303
97.82
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFloridaFlorida Sun ConferencePrivateAverage401210
97.82
Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsCommonwealth Coast ConferencePrivateAverage348352
97.20
University of New OrleansLouisianaSouthland ConferencePublicAverage405309
96.25
Nova Southeastern UniversityFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAverage488397
96.04
Centenary College of LouisianaLouisianaSouthern Collegiate Athletic C...PrivateAverage-1-1
95.27
Valparaiso UniversityIndianaPioneer Football League / Hori...PrivateAverage407281
95.23
State University of New York Ath Conf (Average)-State University of New York A...-Conf-Average-467
94.48
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottArizonaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage402205
94.37
Montana Tech of the University of MontanaMontanaFrontier ConferencePublicAboveAverage399203
93.95
Horizon League (Average)-Horizon League-Conf-Average-299
93.68
Rockhurst UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage404250
93.19
University of ScrantonPennsylvaniaLandmark ConferencePrivateAboveAverage399368
91.99
Brandman UniversityCaliforniaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAverage-1-1
91.94
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
91.65
Kettering UniversityMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage332139
87.47
Wayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAverage414286