Indiana University-East — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Indiana University-East is a regional campus of the Indiana University system that provides an accessible, high-quality educational experience in a supportive, community-focused environment. Offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the campus emphasizes academic excellence and professional preparation. Its focus on personalized instruction and its connection to the research-intensive IU system make it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to achieve their academic and career potential in a local setting.
Indiana University-East Acceptance Rate
Indiana University-East is moderately selective. 71.2% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What IUE Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Recommended Academic Profile
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Indiana University-East Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Indiana University-East follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — PriorityIUE 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) 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.
IUE GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at IUE is 3.41. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.11–3.41 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.61–3.81.IUE GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Founded 1971; regional IU campus in Richmond, IN serving eastern Indiana/western Ohio; roughly 174-180 acres, 2,951-4,000+ students depending on source.
- Test-optional for freshman applicants; SAT code 1324, ACT code 1210 (shared IU Bloomington codes for official score routing).
- Accepts Common Application; acceptance rate around 71%; SAT range roughly 1010-1220 among enrolled students.
- 60+ academic programs; emphasis on affordability, small class sizes, and personalized attention over large-lecture format.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 IUE
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Indiana University-East's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Indiana University-East (IUE) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at IUE. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into IUE Without SAT or ACT?
Indiana University-East Average SAT Score: 1135
Admitted students at Indiana University-East average a 1135 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
A 1135 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Scored under 1010? A retake is worth it at IUE. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1010 | 1220 |
A score under 1010 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1220+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Indiana University-East (IUE) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in IUE's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Indiana University-East (IUE) ACT Requirements
IUE's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into Indiana University-East with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of IUE's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, IUE weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for IUE
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
IUE takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
IU East's test-optional policy lets you choose at the point of application whether scores are considered, and if you self-report scores that later don't match your official scores, your admission and any scholarships tied to those scores are at risk. Only self-report scores you're fully confident about, and get official scores sent well before enrollment if you go that route.
Founded in 1971 specifically to serve this cross-border regional population, IU East's identity and program mix (60+ programs, 174-acre site) reflects a commuter/regional mission rather than a traditional residential flagship experience. If you're weighing this against a bigger IU campus, be clear-eyed about the different campus culture and commuting patterns before committing.
Without test scores, IU East evaluates you holistically based on high school GPA, coursework rigor (honors, dual-credit, IB, AP), your essay, and extracurriculars, with essay and coursework carrying more relative weight than at test-heavy peer schools. Use the essay deliberately to fill in context a test score would have otherwise conveyed.
IU East requires official transcripts sent directly from every previously attended institution (unless credit was earned directly through IU), a straightforward but easy-to-miss administrative step for transfer applicants juggling multiple prior schools. Start these transcript requests early since electronic delivery to iue.admissions@iu.edu is preferred but not universal among sending institutions.
Applicants sometimes treat "test-optional" as functionally equivalent across all IU campuses, but self-reporting scores that don't match official ones later can jeopardize both your admission decision and any scholarship tied to those self-reported numbers. Confirm your self-reported scores are accurate before submitting, not just approximately right.
IUE Profile
Is a IUE Degree Worth It?
At $16,756/year against a $47,156 median graduate salary, IUE is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $51,300, and graduates see a 3.53% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from IUE Cost?
Listed tuition runs $16,756/year at IUE. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $9,082.
At IUE, 33.8% receive a Pell Grant and 35% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming IUE on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a IUE Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, IUE graduates report a median income of $47,156, about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Indiana University-East. 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 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Indiana University-East. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Indiana University-East. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at IUE
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About IUE Admissions
Indiana University-East graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,156/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Indiana University-East is relatively affordable, around $16,756/year.
33.8% of Indiana University-East students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Indiana University-East's acceptance rate is 71.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Indiana University-East students is 3.41, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.11 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Indiana University-East. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.01 or below makes admission tougher at Indiana University-East, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Indiana University-East weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1135, and within the 1010–1220 range, keeps you competitive.
Indiana University-East's deadline is November 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Indiana University-East charges an application fee of 35; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Indiana University-East's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
