More selective than 44% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
29% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 4% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose UIC 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.
What UIC weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as UIC reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- Essay
- SAT/ACT scores
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Interview
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of UIC first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.45. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
99% 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
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
UIC 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, UIC is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 570 | 670 |
| SAT math | 560 | 680 |
| ACT composite | 25 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1130 | 1350 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
UIC admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 77% | 570–670 | 560–680 | 25–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 79% | 560–660 | 560–680 | 25–32 | 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 UIC compared with other Illinois colleges?
UIC has the 30th-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Northeastern Illinois University | 75% | 22% | $14,109 |
| 27 | DePaul University | 76% | 68% | $30,902 |
| 28 | Bradley University | 77% | 76% | $22,719 |
| 29 | North Central College | 77% | 64% | $21,044 |
| 30 | University of Illinois Chicago | 77% | 62% | $10,974 |
| 31 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 77% | 67% | $49,790 |
| 32 | Illinois College | 78% | 64% | $18,298 |
| 33 | Aurora University | 81% | 60% | $18,838 |
| 34 | Loyola University Chicago | 82% | 73% | $36,079 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at UIC
College Scorecard; IPEDS
UIC admissions questions
What is the UIC acceptance rate?
University of Illinois Chicago accepts 77% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 19,955 of 25,420 applicants were admitted.
Does UIC require the SAT or ACT?
University of Illinois Chicago considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 29% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for UIC?
The middle 50% of University of Illinois Chicago enrolled first-year students scored 1130–1350 on the SAT and 25–31 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 UIC?
23% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (4,647 of 19,955).
What does UIC look for in applicants?
University of Illinois Chicago reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA. Important: essay. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does UIC have early decision?
No. University of Illinois Chicago does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is UIC getting harder to get into?
University of Illinois Chicago accepted 77% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 79% for Fall 2023.
Is UIC the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; UIC'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 University of Illinois Chicago overview