ISU Admission Requirements
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- Normal, IL
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ISU Admission Overview
ISU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year ISU admitted 88.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.41 GPA (B+) and SAT 990-1210 / ACT 21-27. ISU 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
ISU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
ISU 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.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Illinois State University
Acceptance Rate
The ISU acceptance rate is 88.2%. Last year, 19,017 of 21,573 applicants were admitted. That is the 45th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into ISU and can you get accepted?
ISU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Illinois State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.41. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
ISU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.41Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.41
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at ISU typically have around a 3.41 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. ISU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #29 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
ISU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Illinois State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, and sending them cannot hurt your application. If you apply without scores, you must send a high school transcript to complete your file. Scores are considered only if you ask Illinois State to use them.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/freshman-requirements/
ISU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
990-1210Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
44%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 500
- Math 490
- Composite 990
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 590
- Composite 1210
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at ISU typically score around a 1100 SAT (middle 50% 990–1210) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 59th percentile nationally. ISU ranks #22 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 990 to 1210
SAT policy
ISU 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 1100 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
ISU 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.
21-27Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
8%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 19
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 27
- Math 26
- Composite 27
Average ACT
Incoming testers at ISU typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ISU places #18 among colleges in Illinois for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 27
ACT policy
You may apply to ISU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
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 ISU 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 Illinois State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Apr 1, 2027Days left to Apply
213Applicants have 213 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Illinois State University is $55.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
ISU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 88.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.41 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (990-1210); 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 Illinois State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145813.
GPA calculator: Illinois State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026