Illinois State University Admission Requirements and Statistics

[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]

How hard is Illinois State to get into?

This page provides the latest information on Illinois State University (Illinois State)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Illinois State's acceptance rate is 88.15% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 21,573 students applied and 19,017 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into Illinois State.

To apply to Illinois State, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).

Explore Illinois State University

Admission Statistics

For the academic year 2024-25, Illinois State's acceptance rate is 88.15% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 22.53%. 8,665 men and 12,908 women applied to Illinois State and 7,433 men and 11,584 women students were accepted.

Among them, 1,693 men and 2,592 women were enrolled in Illinois State. You can explore the Illinois State's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics at Illinois State
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Applicants21,5738,66512,90800
Admitted19,0177,43311,58400
Enrolled4,2851,6932,59200
Acceptance Rate 88.15%85.78%89.74%--
Yield 22.53%22.78%22.38%--

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Illinois State University 2025 Acceptance Rate By Gender chart

Median SAT and ACT Score

For the academic year 2025, 1,872 students (44% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 323 students (8% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Illinois State.

The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,100, including 560 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 540 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 620 and the 25th percentile is 500. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 590 and the 25th percentile is 490.

The median ACT composite score is 24, with a 75th percentile score of 27 and a 25th percentile score of 21 at Illinois State. The median ACT Math score is 23 and the median ACT English score is 23.

How competitive is Illinois State's score?

The SAT and ACT scores at Illinois State University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,131, ACT: 23 - public research university with high research activity).

2025 SAT and ACT Scores at Illinois State
25th Percentile50th Percentile (Median)75th Percentile
SAT Total9901,1001,210
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing500560620
SAT Math490540590
ACT Composite212427
ACT Math192326
ACT English212327

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Illinois State University 2025 SAT and ACT Score Chart

First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type

For the academic year 2024-25, total 4,285 first-year students enrolled in Illinois State. The proportion of full-time students is 99.58% and part-time students is 0.42%.

By gender, the proportion of men students is 39.51% and women students is 60.49%.

The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at Illinois State.

First-Year Students by Gender and Enrolled Type at Illinois State
TotalMenWomenAnother GenderGender Unknown
Total4,2851,6932,59200
Full-time4,2671,6892,57800
Part-time1841400

Data source: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) (Last update: December 11, 2024)

Application Requirements

It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.

The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Illinois State. The english proficiency test is required .

The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Illinois State University.

For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .

Illinois State Admission Requirements
High School GPARequired
High School RankNot Considered
High School Record (or Transcript)Required
Completion of College Preparatory ProgramNot Considered
RecommendationsNot Considered
Formal Demonstration of CompetenciesNot Considered
SAT / ACTConsidered, if submitted
English Proficiency TestRequired
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc)Not Considered
Work experienceNot Considered
Personal statement or essayConsidered, if submitted
Legacy statusNot Considered

General Admissions Information

The following provides general admission information for applying to Illinois State:

  • Open Admission Policy: No
  • Undergraduate Application Fees: -
  • Graduate Application Fees: -
  • Admission Information: www.admissions.illinoisstate.edu/
  • Online Application: www.admissions.illinoisstate.edu/apply
  • Calendar System: Semester
  • Course for High School Students: Not Offered
  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
  • Degree Offered: Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)

Illinois State Admission Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois State is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 88.15%.
Illinois State recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Illinois State is 1,100, and the average ACT score is 24. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Illinois State recommends submitting a personal essay or statement, but it is not strictly required.
Illinois State does not require or recommend a recommendation letter for admission. However, it may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
Illinois State does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Illinois State requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Illinois State requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.

The institutional SAT code for Illinois State is 1319 and 4-digit ACT code is 1042.

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