Illinois State University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Illinois State University is 86.24%. This means that 86 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Illinois State University Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as Illinois State University is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Illinois State University Admission Requirements
Illinois State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Illinois State University is 3.4. It means that Illinois State University is selective in terms of the GPA. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPAs. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).
With an average GPA of 3.4, Illinois State University requires you to be above average in your class. You need to score more A's than B's in your classes to have good chances of admission. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help you.
If your GPA is less than 3.4 and higher than 3.1 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 3 GPA, to secure admission at Illinois State University. Below this, the chances of admission will be very slim.
Can I Get Into Illinois State University Without SAT Or ACT?: Illinois State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Illinois State University SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Illinois State University Average SAT Score: 1111
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Illinois State University is 1111 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Illinois State University SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1111 on the SAT.
If your score is below 1000, consider retaking the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Illinois State University. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Illinois State University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 550 | 500 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1111 | 1000 | 1210 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1000 then you are below most of the admitted students at Illinois State University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1210 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Illinois State University with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Illinois State University are good but the admission staff at Illinois State University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Illinois State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Illinois State University is 24.
Illinois State University ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Illinois State University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 24 on the ACT.
Illinois State University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into Illinois State University with a 27 ACT?
With a 27 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Illinois State University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Illinois State University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 24.Illinois State University Profile
Name: Illinois State University
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from Illinois State University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Illinois State University is USD: 32151. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Illinois State University is USD: 19966
How can I get a scholarship?
30.34% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 46.07 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Illinois State University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Illinois State University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Illinois State University as your choice in the form.
How much a Illinois State University Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the Illinois State University graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 62117. An average Illinois State University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Illinois State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Illinois State University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Huntingdon College, AL | 1086 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
| University of the Ozarks | University of the Ozarks, AR | 1087 | 22 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | 0 |
| University of Bridgeport | University of Bridgeport, CT | 1090 | 0 |
| Morehouse College | Morehouse College, GA | 1090 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Illinois State University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Illinois State University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Illinois State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
| University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Agriculture, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Apparel and Textiles
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
Full list of All degree programs offered by Illinois State University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.