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#10 Best Public Universities in Illinois

EIU Admission Requirements

Charleston, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into Eastern Illinois University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

68%
Admission Difficulty for Eastern Illinois University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at EIU is 68%.  Its admission rate is the 21st lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into EIU and can you get accepted?

EIU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 7,873 out of the 11,584 who applied were admitted.

Eastern Illinois University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.39. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into EIU?

68% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Eastern Illinois University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.39 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1010 on the SAT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

EIU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.39

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Eastern Illinois University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into EIU are to have around a 3.39 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as EIU accepts 68% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at EIU is 3.39 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #33 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since EIU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Eastern Illinois University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 15.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 23.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

EIU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Eastern Illinois University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 1% of students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

900-1120

Applicants Submitting SAT 

1%
SAT Scores for Eastern Illinois University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 440
Composite 25th Percentile 900
SAT Scores for Eastern Illinois University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 570
Math 75th Percentile 550
Composite 75th Percentile 1120
Average SAT Score 1010

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Eastern Illinois University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at EIU is 1010 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1120. Students who get into Eastern Illinois University score in the top 78 percent of all SAT test takers..  EIU ranks #41 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1010 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. EIU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 900 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 900, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 790, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Eastern Illinois University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1010 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1010, you have around a 68% chance of being admitted. A 1120 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 80% chance of getting in.

Eastern Illinois University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1120 and Above Good >80%
1010 to 1120 Avg + 68%-80%
900 to 1010 Avg - 53%-68%
790 to 900 Reach 37%-53%
Less than 790 Low <37%
Calculate My Chances 

EIU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

-
ACT Scores for Eastern Illinois University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Eastern Illinois University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

High School Class Rank

72% of Eastern Illinois University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Eastern Illinois University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 35%
Top 50% of class 72%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Eastern Illinois University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,544 4,892 11,584
Accepted 4,660 3,118 7,873
Acceptance Rate 71% 64% 68%
Enrolled 534 342 876
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 11% 11%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Eastern Illinois University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Eastern Illinois University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Eastern Illinois University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Eastern Illinois University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Eastern Illinois University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144892 IPEDS survey data for Eastern Illinois University.

Last updated February 24, 2024