Eureka College

Private · Moderately Selective · IL

Photo: Nyttend (Public Domain)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationIL · Midwest

SettingRural

Undergrads522

Student:faculty14:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate29.9%

6-yr grad rate41.6%

Drop-out rate49.6%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$29k

Out-of-state tuition$29k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity46.4%

Gender diversity44.8%

International1.1%

IdentityChristian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Overview

Eureka College is a small liberal arts college in central Illinois affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, best known nationally as Ronald Reagan's alma mater — a campus museum commemorates the connection. It was also among the earliest American colleges to admit men and women on equal terms.

Academics

The college offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum at a very small scale, meaning close faculty contact and small classes across its programs rather than concentration in any one flagship department; its identity rests more on personal attention than on a single signature major.

Campus & student life

The campus is small, residential, and rural, reflecting central Illinois small-town life. Athletics and campus traditions play an outsized role in student life at this scale, and the Reagan connection is a visible part of campus culture and tours.

Getting in

Admissions is not highly selective; the college looks for students who will thrive in a small, personal environment rather than competing on the most rigorous academic credentials.

Worth knowing

The Reagan legacy and museum give the college a level of name recognition well beyond its size, but prospective students should judge it on the small liberal arts experience itself rather than the historical association alone.

eureka.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate85%

Enrolled mid-50%1080

Test policynot used

Rec letters—

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying