Illinois State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Illinois State University

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

Updated on May 07, 2020

Illinois State University is a public university with an acceptance rate of 82%. Established in 1857, Illinois State University is the oldest public university in the state of Illinois. The campus is located in Normal, a small city less than three hours from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. The university has broad academic strengths, and programs in business, education, and nursing are all highly regarded nationally. Students can choose from more than 200 academic majors and minors. Classes are supported by a 19-to-1 student/faculty ratio, and about two-thirds of classes have fewer than 30 students. In athletics, the Illinois State Redbirds compete in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference.

Considering applying to Illinois State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Illinois State University had an acceptance rate of 82%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 82 students were admitted, making Illinois State's admissions process somewhat less competitive.

Illinois State University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Illinois State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Illinois State University, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. Illinois State also requires that applicants complete a core high school curriculum including 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 2 years of natural science (including labs), 2 years of social science, and 2 years of foreign language or fine arts. Applicants with the strongest academic records have the best chance of admission.

Note that some programs at Illinois State are more selective than others. Students with borderline grades or test scores are encouraged to submit an optional academic personal statement to explain their academic performance.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students, and most of them had a high school average of B- or higher, an ACT composite score of 18 or higher, and a combined SAT score (ERW+M) of at least 950. An applicant's chances for admission increase measurably with grades and test scores above these lower ranges.

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