EIU Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Charleston, IL
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EIU Admission Overview
EIU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year EIU admitted 65.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.39 GPA (B+) and SAT 880-1090. EIU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
EIU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
EIU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Eastern Illinois University
Acceptance Rate
The EIU acceptance rate is 65.3%. Last year, 8,194 of 12,539 applicants were admitted. That is the 17th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Eastern Illinois University typically 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. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
EIU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.39Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.39
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at EIU typically have around a 3.39 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. EIU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #32 in Illinois for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
EIU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
880-1090Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 460
- Math 420
- Composite 880
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 560
- Math 530
- Composite 1090
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at EIU typically score around a 990 SAT (middle 50% 880–1090) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 38th percentile nationally. EIU ranks #44 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 880 to 1090
SAT policy
EIU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 990 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
EIU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
Not ReportedFreshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
-25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite N/A
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite N/A
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
72% of Eastern Illinois University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the EIU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Eastern Illinois University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Eastern Illinois University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
EIU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 65.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.39 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (880-1090); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Eastern Illinois University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144892.
GPA calculator: Eastern Illinois University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026