Last Updated: Monday July 13, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Trinity International University-Illinois — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Deerfield, Illinois 93.2% Acceptance Rate

Trinity International University-Illinois Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Deerfield, Illinois 60015-1283 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.tiu.edu/

Trinity International University-Illinois — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

93.2%Acceptance Rate
3.26Avg GPA
1016Avg SAT
$47,751Annual Cost
$46,989Grad Salary
32.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.2%
Avg GPA
3.26
Avg SAT
1016
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
976–1046
Need-Based Aid
32.9% receive Pell

Trinity International University-Illinois (IL) is a private, evangelical Christian institution. Admissions evaluate academic potential and the applicant's alignment with the university's mission. They favor students who show a strong desire for a faith-integrated education and those who demonstrate active commitment to their church or community.

Trinity International University-Illinois Acceptance Rate

Trinity International University-Illinois runs an open-access admission policy — with a 93.2% 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

Inclusive
Trinity International University-Illinois Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 93.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.81
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Trinity International University-Illinois Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Trinity International University-Illinois 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

Trinity International University-Illinois 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.

Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01Scholarship Deadline
RollingAdmission Type

💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01) 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.

Trinity International University-Illinois GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Trinity International University-Illinois is 3.26. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 2.96–3.26 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

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 3.46–3.66.

Trinity International University-Illinois GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.

Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).

Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.86 – 3.05
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.85
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Acceptance rate reported around 73-91% depending on source; small school (roughly 1,000-2,000 total enrollment).
  • Composed of a liberal arts college, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), a graduate school, and a law school under one university umbrella.
  • 110-acre wooded campus in Deerfield, IL, just north of Chicago; average class size around 12.
  • Church Match Grants and the Living Faith Award are aid programs tied to church/pastoral/missionary affiliation, not need or merit alone.
  • 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 Trinity International University-Illinois

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Trinity International University-Illinois's verified institutional data

--%
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.

Trinity International University-Illinois Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Trinity International University-Illinois is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Trinity International University-Illinois Without SAT or ACT?

Trinity International University-Illinois neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.

Trinity International University-Illinois Average SAT Score: 1016

The average SAT score of admitted students at Trinity International University-Illinois is 1016 on the 1600-point scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Trinity International University-Illinois SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1016 — Accessible

This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.

Composite
1016
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1046 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Trinity International University-Illinois allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

If your score is below 976, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Trinity International University-Illinois. 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

SAT score percentiles for Trinity International University-Illinois
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math---
SAT Reading---
SAT Composite10169761046

Below 976, you're behind most admitted students; at 1046 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 1000

Can I get into Trinity International University-Illinois with a 1050 SAT?

A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of Trinity International University-Illinois'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.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Trinity International University-Illinois

Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer

Trinity International University-Illinois provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.

Request a pastoral letter as one of your recommendations

TIU is the educational ministry of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and admissions materials for its affiliated programs explicitly ask for pastoral references distinct from academic ones. Even at the undergraduate level, a letter from a pastor or ministry leader carries real weight given the university's EFCA identity.

Engage the Statement of Faith directly in your essay, don't just acknowledge it

TIU holds to the EFCA statement of faith and frames its mission as equipping students "to engage the world for Christ." An applicant essay that connects personal faith commitments to this specific institutional mission, rather than generic "Christian college" language, signals real fit to reviewers.

Ask about Church Match Grants and the Living Faith Award early

These lesser-known aid programs are tied to church membership (including being a pastor's or missionary's child, or an Evangelical Free church member) rather than academic merit alone. Flag any church affiliation on your application and follow up directly with financial aid, since these awards aren't always surfaced automatically.

Highlight community service in the Deerfield area specifically

TIU wants applicants who become "good ambassadors" for the school in the local community, not just generic volunteer hours anywhere. Local, sustained service tied to the Deerfield/north-Chicago area reads as stronger fit than one-off volunteering elsewhere.

Expert Insight:

Applicants sometimes submit a purely academic file and treat the Christian mission as background flavor rather than substance. Because TIU is explicitly the EFCA's educational ministry, a file with no authentic engagement with faith commitments - even a strong secular one - reads as a values mismatch to reviewers.

Trinity International University-Illinois Profile

Full Name
Trinity International University-Illinois
City
Deerfield
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60015-1283
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

Is a Trinity International University-Illinois Degree Worth It?

Whether Trinity International University-Illinois is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.

The average household income among admitted students is $72,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.56%.

How much does a degree from Trinity International University-Illinois Cost?

The sticker price is $47,751/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.

32.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 69.1% take federal loans at Trinity International University-Illinois — file your FAFSA early and list Trinity International University-Illinois as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Trinity International University-Illinois Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,989 — about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$47,751Annual Cost
32.9%Pell Grant
69.1%Federal Loan
$46,989Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Trinity International University-Illinois. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL 977 18
Baptist Health College Little Rock Little Rock, AR 980 20
Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO 1005 22
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT 985 NA
Delaware State University Dover, DE 984 24
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA 994 19
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, GA 1001 18
Clayton State University Morrow, GA 973 18
Columbus State University Columbus, GA 994 21
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA 998 19
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Trinity International University-Illinois. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Faulkner University Montgomery, AL 1016 20
University of West Alabama Livingston, AL 1015 20
Central Baptist College Conway, AR 1022 20
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Morrilton, AR 1020 20
Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR 1018 19
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Trinity International University-Illinois. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL 1090 21
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL 1055 21
Spring Hill College Mobile, AL 1090 22
Troy University Troy, AL 1086 22
Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ 1095 22

Degree Programs at Trinity International University-Illinois

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Trinity International University-Illinois Admissions

Median earnings for Trinity International University-Illinois graduates sit around $46,989 a year.

Trinity International University-Illinois costs roughly $47,751 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.

About 32.9% receive a Pell Grant at Trinity International University-Illinois — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

At 93.2%, Trinity International University-Illinois's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Admitted students at Trinity International University-Illinois average a 3.26 GPA.

Trinity International University-Illinois doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.96 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

Below 2.86, Trinity International University-Illinois 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 Trinity International University-Illinois — aim above 1016, ideally within the 976–1046 range admitted students typically fall in.

Trinity International University-Illinois follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2027/02/01. 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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Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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