U.S. News & World Report named the program at Illinois number one for undergraduate civil engineering, fourth for undergraduate environmental engineering.
In last year's rankings, the undergraduate civil engineering program was ranked at number two and U of I was ranked fourth for undergraduate students studying environmental engineering.
For the past 20 years, the department has hovered at or near the top spot in the civil engineering category. Proponents of the rankings say they are one of many sources of information for prospective students and their families and reflect the esteem in which the department's programs are held among peers and practioners.
The College of Engineering was ranked fifth this year in the category, Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. This represents a rise from sixth place in last year's rankings.