Millikin University

millikin pace program

Prosperous Presbyterian Liberal Arts Degrees at Millikin

Millikin University appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.

Ranked the U.S. News & World Report’s ninth-best Midwest choice, Millikin University is an independent, Christian school with a small 10:1 student-faculty ratio to deliver 75 bachelor’s, two master’s, one doctoral, and 29 certificate programs, including seven online via Flex Learning. For example, the College of Fine Arts grants a 124-credit B.F.A. in Art Therapy with opportunities to exhibit in Perkinson Gallery, secure Blue Connection internships, and practice in Ignite Studios. Since 2002, the B.S. in Biology chaired by Dr. Travis Wilcoxen has utilized Leighty-Tabor Center for a 124-credit STEM curriculum with Ecological Journeys to Costa Rica and Beta Beta Beta membership.

Online on Moodle, the 124-credit B.S. in Accounting admits Millikin University cohorts of 12-25 for Tabor School of Business courses like Managerial Forensics in an accelerated, seven-week PACE format with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance practice for certified careers averaging $54,838 pay. Directed by Dr. Pam Lindsey, the MSN uniquely builds an 81-credit, 26-month graduate degree with 800 hours of clinical placements, such as Decatur Memorial Hospital or St. Mary’s Hospital, for career changers to earn initial RN licensure. Other options include the B.A. in Human Services, B.S. in Sport Management, B.A. in Philosophy, Executive MBA, and DNP in Nurse Anesthesia.

About Millikin University

Millikin University originated on May 15, 1900, when National Bank of Decatur owner James Millikin challenged the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to raise $100,000 for a college. The next April, Albert Reynolds Taylor oversaw the merger of Lincoln University and Decatur College into one such institution. In 1903, its present 75-acre Macon County campus 120 miles from St. Louis was dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt. In 1904, Edward Luther King was the sole degree graduate. In 1908, Millikin famously organized the Illinois Academy of Science. On July 23, 1953, its name changed from James Millikin University to simply Millikin University. In 1976, the 40,000-square-foot A.E. Staley Sr. Library was built. In 1982, the School of Business and Engineering was named for Purvis Tabor and his wife Roberta. In 2001, Archer Daniels Midland donated $2.5 million to renovate Scovill Science Hall.

Endowed for $108.4 million, Millikin University now employs 1,393 total staff serving 2,090 Big Blue from 28 countries online and face-to-face in Decatur with 90+ clubs like Model UN for 99 percent job placement. In 2018, MU received the local Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expansion of the Year Award. Millikin’s Tau Kappa Epsilon Chapter won the 2008 Award of Academic Achievement Excellence too. Forbes placed Millikin University 608th overall with the 193rd top liberal arts education. On Niche, MU boasts America’s 34th best music school, 74th best performing arts degrees, 282nd top nursing program, and 319th top teaching. The Wall Street Journal named Millikin the 398th best U.S. institution. Washington Monthly also labeled Millikin the 24th best Midwest value.

Millikin University Accreditation Details

On March 2, 2017, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) wrote a new Institutional State Report for Millikin University that reaffirmed the Level V accreditation satisfactorily through 2026-27 under its 15th president, Dr. Patrick E. White, who opened the Doug and Diane Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance. Located 182 miles up Interstate 57 in Chicago, Illinois, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The Office of the Provost also lists these specialized accreditations:

  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Millikin University Application Requirements

Enrolling at Millikin University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 2,216 of the 3,431 Fall 2017 applicants were selected for 65 percent acceptance. First-year Big Blue must culminate at least 16 college-prep high school units for a state-approved diploma. Passing the GED exam with 580 or greater would be sufficient. On average, freshmen present a 3.30 GPA, 1091 New SAT, and 24 ACT mark. The Honors Program requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and 1260 SAT score. Accepted transfers typically have one or more semesters of 12+ credits at GPAs above 2.0. Flexible Learning PACE programs online are reserved for financially independent adults age 24 or older. Millikin MSN cohorts must fulfill several bachelor’s prerequisites like Physiology, Organic Chemistry, and Lifespan Development. The Nurse Educator and Nurse Anesthesia DNP tracks stipulate current RN licensing plus 3.0 GPAs. The MBA is GMAT-optional for students with 3.3 GPAs or better and six years of experience.

Millikin University conveniently has rolling undergrad admission for most. The School of Theatre & Dance has five pre-screen deadlines from October 5th to January 15th for auditions. Foreign students must file before June 1st for Fall or November 1st for Spring. The Executive MBA closes on November 1st. Fast-Track MBA cohorts apply until June 1st yearly. The Doctor of Nursing Practice deadline is February 1st. Accordingly, complete the MU or Common Application online for free. Schools submit official transcripts directly to 1184 West Main Street in Decatur, IL 62522. For testing reports, utilize ACT code 1080 or SAT/GRE code 1470. Other program-specific materials include the art portfolio, RN license, recommendation forms, one-page written statement, qualifications résumé, testing waiver, and extracurricular list. Inquire further by contacting (217) 424-6210 or [email protected].

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Millikin University billed traditional full-time B.A./B.S. majors $17,105 each semester or $34,210 annually. Comprehensive fees were $22 per credit. Advanced tuition deposits were $150 ($500 if foreign). Overload credits above 18 cost $1,000 each. Residing at the Decatur campus’ dorms like Dolson Hall added $6,128 to $8,690 to the yearly lease. All-access meal plans for University Commons were $2,680 extra. MU budgeted $1,000 for books and $2,100 for personal needs. Annual bachelor’s attendance equaled $49,920 on-site and $38,102 if commuting. Flexible Learning programs cost $482 per credit online. Millikin MBA tuition was $832 per credit or $33,280 total. MSN Entry into Nursing Practice students spent $832 per credit for $69,056. The DNP program charged $950 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office at Shilling Hall Room 119 gets 92 percent of full-time MU Big Blue aid averaging $19,608 each for $37.09 million combined. University funds include the ADM Scholarship, Caterpillar Scholarship, Leighty Science Scholarship, Long-Vanderburg Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, Macon Matters Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Amati String Scholarship, Thomas S. Sly Scholarship, Sibling Scholarship, and Freshman Merit Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship covers full tuition of $34,210 for select Honors students with minimum 3.5 GPAs. The Leadership Fellows Program has a January 15th deadline for earning $2,000 per year. Filing FAFSA forms coded 001724 early provides Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Direct Loan, and Work-Study assistance. Since 2018, the Illinois Monetary Award Program has included non-profit private colleges like Millikin for $1,000 to $4,968.

Explore the 105+ programs of study across five accredited, Christian colleges at the Millikin University website.