Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Elmhurst, Illinois
75.7% Acceptance Rate
Elmhurst University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
75.7%Acceptance Rate
3.59Avg GPA
1116Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$51,829Annual Cost
$61,462Grad Salary
36.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
75.7%
Avg GPA
3.59
Avg SAT
1116
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
960–1210
ACT Middle 50%
23–28
Need-Based Aid
36.8% receive Pell
Elmhurst University is a private, liberal arts institution in Illinois affiliated with the United Church of Christ, recognized for its tradition of service-oriented learning and academic excellence. With a campus that serves as a beautiful arboretum, the university provides a supportive and engaged environment that encourages critical inquiry and professional preparation. Its focus on helping students find their purpose makes it a highly effective and formative choice for those seeking a meaningful education.
Elmhurst University Acceptance Rate
Elmhurst University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 75.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 75.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.59 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.14
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Elmhurst University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Elmhurst University is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2026/11/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Elmhurst University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Elmhurst University is 3.59. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.29 and 3.59? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.79–3.99.Elmhurst University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.59 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.19 – 3.38
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.18
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional policy: essay required specifically in lieu of submitted test scores, not as a general supplement.
- Median submitted scores: SAT 1130, ACT 26 (only ~23% of enrolled students submitted SAT, ~5% ACT).
- Affiliated with the United Church of Christ; states it respects students' rights to peaceful protest.
- International applicants have a longer document list including financial certification and English proficiency scores.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Elmhurst University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Elmhurst University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Elmhurst University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Elmhurst University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Elmhurst University Without SAT or ACT?
Elmhurst University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Elmhurst University Average SAT Score: 1116
The average SAT score of admitted students at Elmhurst University is 1116 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1116 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Elmhurst University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Elmhurst University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 545 | 480 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1116 | 960 | 1210 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1210 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Elmhurst University with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Elmhurst University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Elmhurst University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Elmhurst University is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 25 | 23 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 28 |
Can I get into Elmhurst University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Elmhurst University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Elmhurst University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Elmhurst University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Elmhurst University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand the structural trade-off: submit test scores OR write the required essay - not both, not neither
Elmhurst's test-optional policy works as a genuine either/or: if you don't submit SAT/ACT scores, the personal essay becomes mandatory in their place, not supplementary. A student choosing test-optional who treats the essay as a "nice extra" is missing that it's now functioning as their single biggest differentiator in place of a whole data category.
Homeschooled applicants going test-optional need 12 college credit hours first
Elmhurst requires homeschooled students who want to apply test-optional to have already earned a minimum of 12 semester hours of college-level credit - otherwise they're funneled into the standard testing track. Families homeschooling through senior year should plan dual-enrollment credits well before application season if they intend to skip the SAT/ACT.
Skip AI drafting tools entirely on the required essay - Elmhurst says so explicitly
Elmhurst's admissions office states directly that applicants should refrain from using AI to construct the essay and offers an alternative: submitting a graded academic paper or writing sample instead, if that better reflects ability. A student unsure about their essay's authenticity read should consider this substitution rather than risk an AI-flagged submission.
Have your high school send the official transcript directly, and expect a request for a mid-year update
Elmhurst may ask for a seventh-semester (fall-term senior grades) transcript update at the Admission Review Board's discretion - this isn't automatic for every applicant, so a borderline file should proactively ask their counselor to have updated grades ready to send quickly if requested.
Expert Insight:
Elmhurst's acceptance rate (about 74%) and moderate test-score medians can make the process feel low-stakes, but the test-optional/essay trade-off is a real structural decision point - a student who skips both meaningful test prep and a strong essay leaves the admissions committee with the thinnest possible file.
Elmhurst University Profile
Full Name
Elmhurst University
City
Elmhurst
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60126-3296
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Elmhurst University Degree Worth It?
Elmhurst University offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $80,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.96%.
How much does a degree from Elmhurst University Cost?
The sticker price is $51,829/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
36.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 50.8% take federal loans at Elmhurst University. File your FAFSA early and list Elmhurst University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Elmhurst University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $61,462. That's about 51% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Elmhurst University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Elmhurst University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Elmhurst University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Elmhurst University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Elmhurst University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Elmhurst University run about $61,462 a year.
At about $51,829 a year, Elmhurst University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 36.8% receive a Pell Grant at Elmhurst University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 75.7%, Elmhurst University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Elmhurst University average a 3.59 GPA.
Elmhurst University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.29 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.19, Elmhurst University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Elmhurst University — aim above 1116, ideally within the 960–1210 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Elmhurst University is November 1 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2026/11/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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