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School data & stats
Outcomes
Cost
Community
Overview
McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, founded in 1828 with Methodist roots, holds the distinction of being the oldest college in the state. Its location near St. Louis and Scott Air Force Base shapes much of its student body, which includes a substantial population of military-affiliated and adult students alongside traditional undergraduates.
Academics
Business, nursing, and education are the most popular programs, with practical, career-oriented coursework suited to both traditional students and the military and working-adult population the university serves. Online and flexible-schedule options are well developed given the significant non-traditional enrollment.
Campus & student life
The small-town Lebanon, Illinois setting sits within commuting distance of St. Louis, giving students access to a major metro area's internships and amenities without an urban campus itself. Scott Air Force Base's proximity means military family and active-duty students are a visible part of campus life. Athletics compete at the Division II level.
Getting in
Admission is not highly selective, and McKendree emphasizes affordability and flexibility, particularly to military-affiliated applicants using education benefits. The university has specific support structures for veterans and active-duty students navigating enrollment alongside service commitments.
Worth knowing
The military-connected population, tied to nearby Scott Air Force Base, is large enough to shape campus culture meaningfully, and prospective students should know this before assuming a purely traditional-undergraduate social environment.
Admissions
Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)
Applying
mckendree.edu ↗High school coursework
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