More selective than 92% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
47% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 18% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose UIUC 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 UIUC weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as UIUC reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Essay
- SAT/ACT scores
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. 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.
6,826 offered a spot, 4,317 took it, 1 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
UIUC 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, UIUC is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 650 | 740 |
| SAT math | 660 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 30 | 34 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1310 | 1520 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
UIUC admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 42% | 650–740 | 660–780 | 30–34 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 44% | 630–730 | 640–780 | 29–34 | 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 UIUC compared with other Illinois colleges?
UIUC has the 5th-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 4% | 96% | $14,860 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 8% | 95% | $29,167 |
| 3 | Methodist College | 39% | 20% | $41,787 |
| 4 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 39% | 75% | $28,199 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 42% | 85% | $14,355 |
| 6 | Chicago State University | 43% | 15% | $12,335 |
| 7 | Principia College | 44% | 74% | — |
| 8 | Judson University | 48% | 60% | $18,558 |
| 9 | Governors State University | 48% | 22% | $12,329 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at UIUC
College Scorecard; IPEDS
UIUC admissions questions
What is the UIUC acceptance rate?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 42% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 29,446 of 67,398 applicants were admitted.
Does UIUC require the SAT or ACT?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 47% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for UIUC?
The middle 50% of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign enrolled first-year students scored 1310–1520 on the SAT and 30–34 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 UIUC?
28% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (8,325 of 29,446).
What does UIUC look for in applicants?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student. Important: essay. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, where you live, state residency, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does UIUC have early decision?
No. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the UIUC waitlist?
For fall 2025, 6,826 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 4,317 accepted one and 1 were admitted (under 1% of those who stayed on the list).
Is UIUC getting harder to get into?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepted 42% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 44% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; UIUC'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 Urbana-Champaign overview