More selective than 69% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
1% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 0% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose EIU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
High school GPA of EIU first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.35. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
EIU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, EIU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 460 | 560 |
| SAT math | 420 | 530 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 880 | 1090 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
EIU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 65% | 460–560 | 420–530 | — | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 68% | 460–570 | 430–540 | — | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is EIU compared with other Illinois colleges?
EIU has the 17th-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Lake Forest College | 57% | 78% | $28,673 |
| 14 | Augustana College | 63% | 73% | $22,736 |
| 15 | Blackburn College | 63% | 57% | $18,460 |
| 16 | University of St Francis | 65% | 67% | $13,006 |
| 17 | Eastern Illinois University | 65% | 47% | $12,786 |
| 18 | Millikin University | 67% | 55% | $21,989 |
| 19 | North Park University | 69% | 58% | $16,948 |
| 20 | Northern Illinois University | 70% | 49% | $13,391 |
| 21 | Knox College | 71% | 68% | $24,595 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at EIU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
EIU admissions questions
What is the EIU acceptance rate?
Eastern Illinois University accepts 65% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 7,892 of 11,648 applicants were admitted.
Does EIU require the SAT or ACT?
Eastern Illinois University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 1% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 0% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for EIU?
The middle 50% of Eastern Illinois University enrolled first-year students scored 880–1090 on the SAT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at EIU?
10% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (819 of 7,892).
Does EIU have early decision?
No. Eastern Illinois University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is EIU getting harder to get into?
Eastern Illinois University accepted 65% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 68% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; EIU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Eastern Illinois University overview