Northeastern Illinois University Ranked One of the Best Colleges in America for Women

Northeastern Illinois University is one of the best colleges in the United States for women, according to Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026” list. The inaugural list ranked Northeastern as No. 35 (tied) in the country and placed fourth in the state of Illinois.

Newsweek developed the rankings in partnership with Gender Fair, a company that examines data to evaluate how successful businesses and organizations are at promoting equality and accountability.  The methodology is rooted in the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles. Among other data, research and rankings were based on information from the U.S. Department of Education, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Campus Safety and Security Database.

“Women lead at every level of NEIU — from our classrooms and faculty to our executive leadership and Board of Trustees,” Northeastern President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D. “This ranking reflects their strength and accomplishments, as well as our continued responsibility to remove barriers, expand opportunity and create an environment where women can succeed.”

The list highlights institutions that actively support gender equality and empower women across four key areas:

• Leadership  (35%):  This score looks at how many women are in visible leadership positions across the University. To date, five of the University’s nine members of the Executive Team — which includes Northeastern’s President, Vice Presidents and Executive Directors — are women. In fact, Northeastern’s past three Presidents are women (Gloria J. Gibson, President, 2018-2023; Sharon K. Hahs, President, 2007-2016; Salme Harju Steinberg, President, 1995-2007). Additionally, of the University’s 10 members of the Board of Trustees, seven are women and three of those women are also University alumnae, including the Board’s Vice Chair Michelle Morales (M.A. ’12 Educational Leadership, School Leadership). 
• Pay and policies (25%): Having women at the University receive fair recognition and compensation. The pay and policies score takes into account whether or not a school has daycare onsite, which Northeastern offers. The University’s Child Care Center has existed since 1972 and serves children from the ages of 15 months to Pre-K, with a maximum of 87 children. It is accredited and licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. 
• Safety (20%): Northeastern’s highest score was in safety, meaning the number of reported crimes against women and the number of reported hate crimes across the University was low. Northeastern has a number of resources available to students, including Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services and an emergency alert system for all University members, N-Safe, to ensure no matter where students or employees are, support for their safety is never compromised
• Opportunity (20%): The opportunity score reinforces U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” publication, which noted Northeastern has strong Pell grant graduation performance, which indicates that the University is excelling at enrolling and graduating students with significant financial need. During the 2025-2026 academic year, more than 60% of Northeastern’s student body identified as female. Additionally, in Fall 2025, more than half of the University’s faculty (Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Instructors) were women.

“This national recognition affirms what generations of women have experienced at Northeastern Illinois University: this is a place where they can lead, achieve and build a better future,” said President Bell-Jordan. “We are proud of this distinction and remain committed to ensuring that every student has the support, safety and opportunities needed to thrive.”