Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
East Peoria, Illinois
Illinois Central College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$17,251Annual Cost
$37,366Grad Salary
22.3%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$11,510
Need-Based Aid
22.3% receive Pell
Illinois Central College IL Illinois Central College combines transfer education with workforce development and technical training programs. Students can pursue affordable pathways to universities or enter high-demand careers through industry-focused programs.\n\nThe college is particularly strong in healthcare, manufacturing, engineering technologies, agriculture, and business. Strong employer partnerships help students gain practical experience and improve employment prospects.
Illinois Central College Acceptance Rate
Illinois Central College (ICC) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Illinois Central College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Illinois Central College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
ICC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at ICC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Illinois Central College'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Illinois Central College (ICC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if ICC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into ICC Without SAT or ACT?
ICC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ICC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
ICC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Secure Caterpillar dealership sponsorship before assuming a ThinkBIG seat
ICC admission alone does not get a student into the Caterpillar ThinkBIG technician program - a student must be accepted for sponsorship by a participating Caterpillar dealership. Have interested students identify and contact a local Cat dealer well before applying, since dealership sponsorship (not ICC's own admissions office) is the actual gatekeeping decision for this program.
Treat GM ASEP as its own application cycle with a hard April 1 deadline
The General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program requires a separate GM ASEP application on top of the ICC application, plus a program-advisor interview. Applications after April 1 are only considered if seats remain - students should submit both applications together well before the deadline rather than assuming general ICC admission covers this specialized track.
Apply to the Honors Program separately even with a strong test score
ICC's Honors Program waives tuition on all College credit courses for qualifying students (ACT 27+, or 26 if taken before Oct. 28, 1989, or SAT 1060+) - but it has its own application with April 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring) deadlines. A student with a qualifying score who only completes general admission will not automatically be enrolled in Honors or receive the waiver; the separate application is the trigger.
Connect with Harvesting Dreams before senior year, not after enrolling
Harvesting Dreams is a pre-enrollment leadership and training pipeline for prospective African American students still in high school. Families should reach out while the student is still in high school - it's built as an on-ramp into ICC, not a resource to discover after arriving on campus, so waiting until enrollment misses its intended window.
Expert Insight:
ICC's general admission is open and simple, which leads families to assume the same is true of ThinkBIG and GM ASEP - it isn't. Both are manufacturer/dealer-sponsored programs with their own application, interview, and (for ThinkBIG) an external sponsorship decision entirely outside ICC's control. Students who complete only the standard ICC application and skip these program-specific steps are routinely shut out of these two named pathways even as fully enrolled ICC students in good standing.
ICC Profile
Full Name
Illinois Central College (ICC)
City
East Peoria
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
61635-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a ICC Degree Worth It?
ICC 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 $56,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.55%.
How much does a degree from ICC Cost?
The sticker price is $17,251/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $11,510.
22.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 7.1% take federal loans at ICC — file your FAFSA early and list ICC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a ICC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $37,366 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at ICC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ICC Admissions
Median earnings for Illinois Central College graduates sit around $37,366 a year.
At about $17,251 a year, Illinois Central College is on the more affordable end.
Illinois Central College's Pell Grant rate of 22.3% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Illinois Central College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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