More selective than 21% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
35% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 10% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Illinois State University 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.
Illinois State University 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, Illinois State University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 500 | 620 |
| SAT math | 490 | 590 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 27 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 990 | 1210 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Illinois State University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 88% | 500–620 | 490–590 | 21–27 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 89% | 510–620 | 500–610 | 22–27 | 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 Illinois State University compared with other Illinois colleges?
Illinois State University has the 42nd-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Eureka College | 85% | 42% | $17,349 |
| 39 | University of Illinois Springfield | 86% | 53% | $9,833 |
| 40 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 87% | 62% | $13,297 |
| 41 | Wheaton College | 87% | 85% | $26,975 |
| 42 | Illinois State University | 88% | 65% | $19,398 |
| 43 | Columbia College Chicago | 89% | 52% | $26,598 |
| 44 | Dominican University | 90% | 55% | $11,745 |
| 45 | Monmouth College | 91% | 65% | $17,133 |
| 46 | Concordia University-Chicago | 93% | 36% | $18,436 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at Illinois State University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Illinois State University admissions questions
What is the Illinois State University acceptance rate?
Illinois State University accepts 88% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 18,589 of 20,884 applicants were admitted.
Does Illinois State University require the SAT or ACT?
Illinois State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 35% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois State University?
The middle 50% of Illinois State University enrolled first-year students scored 990–1210 on the SAT and 21–27 on the ACT. 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 Illinois State University?
22% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (4,147 of 18,589).
Is Illinois State University getting harder to get into?
Illinois State University accepted 88% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 89% for Fall 2023.
Is Illinois State University the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Illinois State University overview