SIUE Admission Requirements

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Edwardsville, IL
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#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

SIUE Admission Overview

SIUE admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year SIUE admitted 97.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.54 GPA (A-) and SAT 950-1190 / ACT 20-27. SIUE 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

SIUE Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

97.5%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Acceptance Rate

The SIUE acceptance rate is 97.5%. Last year, 9,896 of 10,150 applicants were admitted. That is the 57th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

SIUE 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.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.54. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SIUE GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.54

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.54

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at SIUE typically have around a 3.54 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. SIUE is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

25% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #18 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 25.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 13.0% 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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

SIUE SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

950-1190

Freshmen who sent SAT

35%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 490
  • Math 460
  • Composite 950
SAT 25th percentile scores for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1190
SAT 75th percentile scores for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SIUE typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 950–1190) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. SIUE ranks #29 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 950 to 1190

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

SIUE 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 1070 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.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1190+ Above 75th >98%
1070 to 1190 Avg + 97%-98%
950 to 1070 Avg - 94%-97%
Below 950 Below mid-50 <94%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SIUE ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

20-27

Freshmen reporting ACT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 18
  • Math 18
  • Composite 20
ACT 25th percentile scores for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 27
  • Math 26
  • Composite 27
ACT 75th percentile scores for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Average ACT

Incoming testers at SIUE typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 20–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SIUE places #26 among colleges in Illinois for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 27

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to SIUE without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 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.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
27+ Above 75th >99%
23 to 27 Avg + 97%-99%
20 to 23 Avg - 95%-97%
Below 20 Below mid-50 <95%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

77% of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 19%
Top 25% of class 44%
Top 50% of class 77%

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 SIUE chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,870 4,280 10,150
Accepted 5,738 4,158 9,896
Acceptance Rate 98% 97% 97%
Enrolled 961 589 1,550
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 14% 16%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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 Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

243

Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SIUE is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 97.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.54 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (950-1190); 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149231.

GPA calculator: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026