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#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

Southern Illinois University Admission Requirements

Carbondale, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.5%
Admission Difficulty for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Southern Illinois University is 91.5%.  Its admission rate is the 50th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Southern Illinois University and can you get accepted?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,940 out of the 9,771 who applied were admitted.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.24. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Southern Illinois University?

91% 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.24 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1020 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Southern Illinois University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.24

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Southern Illinois University Carbondale?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Southern Illinois University are to have around a 3.24 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.24 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Southern Illinois University accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Southern Illinois University is 3.24 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #44 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Southern Illinois University 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 3.2 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 6.33% Good
3.75 to 3.99 20.47% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 13.86% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 12.51% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.57% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.47% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 12.94% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.85% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Southern Illinois University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 38% of students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

900-1140

Applicants Submitting SAT 

38%
SAT Scores for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 440
Composite 25th Percentile 900
SAT Scores for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1140
Average SAT Score 1020

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University is 1020 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1140. Students who get into Southern Illinois University Carbondale score in the top 78 percent of all SAT test takers..  Southern Illinois University ranks #37 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1020 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Southern Illinois University 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 780, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Southern Illinois University Carbondale 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 1020 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 1020, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1140 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1140 and Above Good >95%
1020 to 1140 Avg + 91%-95%
900 to 1020 Avg - 84%-91%
780 to 900 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 780 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

Southern Illinois University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

12%
ACT Scores for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Southern Illinois University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Southern Illinois University is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 27.  The school ranks #29 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

12 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Southern Illinois University Carbondale is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Southern Illinois University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 27 ACT score.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >95%
23 to 27 Avg + 91%-95%
19 to 23 Avg - 84%-91%
15 to 19 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 15 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

69% of Southern Illinois University Carbondale freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 38% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 16%
Top 25% of class 38%
Top 50% of class 69%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,803 3,959 9,771
Accepted 5,368 3,565 8,940
Acceptance Rate 93% 90% 91%
Enrolled 825 689 1,518
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 19% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $40.

Application Requirements

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Southern Illinois University Carbondale is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.24 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1020 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Southern Illinois University Carbondale often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149222 IPEDS survey data for Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Southern Illinois University Carbondale prefer SAT or ACT?

38% of students submit their SAT scores to Southern Illinois University. 12% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Southern Illinois University Carbondale?

91% of those who apply are granted admission to Southern Illinois University. Admission competition is and the college has easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Southern Illinois University Carbondale?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 900 and 1140. The average SAT score is 1020. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Southern Illinois University Carbondale?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 19 and 27. The average ACT score is 23. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.