About Eureka College
Ronald Reagan walked these halls before Hollywood and the White House made him famous. Eureka College enrolls just 522 students in this small Illinois town, creating an intimate liberal arts experience where the 40th President once played football and studied economics. The college maintains its Christian Church heritage while fostering the kind of close-knit community that shaped a future leader.
Students pay an average net price of $22,048 after financial aid, making this education surprisingly affordable for a private college. Graduates earn a median of $51,641 ten years after leaving, while carrying typical debt of $23,250 with monthly payments around $246. The employment rate hits 96.4%, suggesting strong career outcomes despite the modest 40.6% six-year graduation rate.
The Red Devils compete in 14 NCAA Division III sports with 267 total athletes, reflecting the school's emphasis on well-rounded student experiences. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and 91% of students from Illinois, this feels like an extended family rather than a typical college. The 63% retention rate indicates some students struggle to adjust, but those who stay find a supportive environment that has historically produced leaders.
Students pay an average net price of $22,048 after financial aid, making this education surprisingly affordable for a private college. Graduates earn a median of $51,641 ten years after leaving, while carrying typical debt of $23,250 with monthly payments around $246. The employment rate hits 96.4%, suggesting strong career outcomes despite the modest 40.6% six-year graduation rate.
The Red Devils compete in 14 NCAA Division III sports with 267 total athletes, reflecting the school's emphasis on well-rounded student experiences. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and 91% of students from Illinois, this feels like an extended family rather than a typical college. The 63% retention rate indicates some students struggle to adjust, but those who stay find a supportive environment that has historically produced leaders.
Academics & Faculty
Eureka College operates as a small liberal arts institution where students explore broad-based education across multiple disciplines. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom discussions and close mentoring relationships with professors. However, only 48% of students graduate within four years, suggesting the academic environment may be challenging for some. The college gained historical prominence when Ronald Reagan studied economics here before his entertainment and political careers. Liberal arts education at Eureka means students take courses across humanities, sciences, and social sciences rather than specializing early. With just 522 students total, every class feels personal. The low graduation rate of 41% over six years indicates students need strong self-motivation to succeed.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 48.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 40.6%
- Retention Rate
- 63.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $51,641
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,274 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,060 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,423 |
| History. | Bachelor | $30,173 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,685 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
Campus Life
Students at this small Illinois college wake up knowing they'll likely see the same faces all day. With just 522 students enrolled, Eureka feels more like an extended family than a university. The campus sits in a town of 5,000 people, about 20 minutes from Peoria and two hours from Chicago. Winter coats are essential here - central Illinois winters can drop below freezing for months.
About 89% of students live in campus housing, creating a tight-knit residential community where dorm life defines the social scene. The 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you skip class. Weekends often revolve around Red Devils athletics, with 267 students competing in NCAA Division III sports. Students frequently visit the Ronald Reagan Museum on campus, celebrating their most famous alumnus who played football here in the 1930s. Greek life and campus organizations fill the social calendar in this small town where entertainment options are limited. The 63% retention rate suggests some students find the intimate setting too confining.
About 89% of students live in campus housing, creating a tight-knit residential community where dorm life defines the social scene. The 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you skip class. Weekends often revolve around Red Devils athletics, with 267 students competing in NCAA Division III sports. Students frequently visit the Ronald Reagan Museum on campus, celebrating their most famous alumnus who played football here in the 1930s. Greek life and campus organizations fill the social calendar in this small town where entertainment options are limited. The 63% retention rate suggests some students find the intimate setting too confining.
- Setting
- Town-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 466 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1855
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 17°–33°F
- July Avg
- 64°–85°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.5"
- Annual Snowfall
- 22.3"
Student Demographics
Nearly 91% of students come from Illinois, showing Eureka's strong ties to the Prairie State community. The college draws a diverse mix with 68% white students alongside significant Black and Hispanic populations. This small liberal arts school maintains the close-knit feel that attracted Ronald Reagan in the 1920s. With just over 500 students split almost evenly between men and women, everyone knows each other on this tight campus. The 23% Pell Grant rate reflects Eureka's commitment to making private liberal arts education accessible to working families across central Illinois.
- Men
- 50.8%
- Women
- 49.2%
- White
- 68.2%
- Black
- 12.1%
- Hispanic
- 9.6%
- Asian
- 0.2%
- In-State Students
- 90.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 22.7%
Location
Eureka College sits in Eureka, Illinois, about 20 miles southeast of Peoria. The campus occupies a small town of roughly 5,200 residents in central Illinois farm country. With 90.91% of students coming from in-state, most are familiar with the prairie landscape and agricultural communities that define this part of the Midwest. The town-fringe setting means students experience genuine small-town life while staying connected to larger cities. Eureka itself revolves around the college, creating a classic college town atmosphere where students and locals interact regularly. The Red Devils compete in 14 varsity sports across the rolling Illinois countryside. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Eureka College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Eureka, Illinois 61530
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $51,641
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $47,962
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $33,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 67.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $246/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,250
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Eureka College?
Eureka College accepts 86.72% of applicants, making admission quite accessible for most students. This liberal arts college of just 522 students draws heavily from Illinois, with over 90% of students coming from in-state.
How much does Eureka College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $22,048 annually after aid, less than the sticker price of $28,400. About 23% of students receive institutional grants averaging $19,367, helping reduce the financial burden.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Eureka College?
The student-faculty ratio is 14:1, allowing for close relationships between professors and students. This small class environment reflects the college's commitment to personalized education in the liberal arts tradition.
What are the graduation rates at Eureka College?
Only 40.60% of students graduate within six years, which is below national averages for four-year colleges. However, graduates earn a median salary of $51,641 ten years after graduation, and 96.4% find employment.
Where is Eureka College located and what is campus life like?
The college sits in Eureka, Illinois, a small town setting that houses 466 students on campus. With 267 student-athletes competing in 14 NCAA Division III sports as the Red Devils, athletics play a major role in campus culture.
What is Eureka College most famous for?
Eureka College is best known as the alma mater of Ronald Reagan, who played football here before becoming the 40th President. Founded in 1855 with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliation, the college maintains its small-town liberal arts identity that shaped the future president.
