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#18 Best Public Universities in America

Illinois Admission Requirements

Champaign, Illinois

 5 Reviews

Your chances of getting into University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

44.8%
Admission Difficulty for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Illinois is 44.8%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Illinois and the 194th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Illinois is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 28,354 out of the 63,257 who applied were admitted.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 28% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Illinois?

45% 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 University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.79 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1420 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Illinois GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.79*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Illinois are to have around a 3.79 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Illinois will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Illinois is 3.79 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #8 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Illinois 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 3.8 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.79 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

Illinois SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 44% of students submitted SAT scores and 20% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1320-1510

Applicants Submitting SAT 

44%
SAT Scores for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 650
Math 25th Percentile 670
Composite 25th Percentile 1320
SAT Scores for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 730
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1510
Average SAT Score 1420

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Illinois is 1420 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1320-1510. Students who get into University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign score in the top 10 percent of all SAT test takers..  Illinois ranks #3 in the state of Illinois and #84 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1420 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Illinois regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1320 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1320, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1220, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 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 1420 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 1415, you have around a 45% chance of being admitted. A 1510 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 61% chance of getting in.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1510 and Above Good >61%
1415 to 1510 Avg + 45%-61%
1320 to 1415 Avg - 30%-45%
1225 to 1320 Reach 18%-30%
Less than 1225 Low <18%
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Illinois ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

20%
ACT Scores for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 30
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Illinois is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 34.  The school ranks #3 in Illinois and #88 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

20 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 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 Illinois for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 45% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 64% with a 34 ACT score.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >64%
31 to 34 Avg + 45%-64%
29 to 31 Avg - 33%-45%
27 to 29 Reach 23%-33%
Less than 27 Low <23%
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High School Class Rank

54% of University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 54%
Top 25% of class 85%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 27,010 36,223 63,257
Accepted 14,418 13,926 28,354
Acceptance Rate 53% 38% 45%
Enrolled 3,879 4,076 7,957
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 27% 29% 28%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2025

Days left to Apply

59

Applicants have 59 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and what student information is used for admission decisions?

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

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Illinois is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.79 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1420 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1510 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 31 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145637 IPEDS survey data for University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Last updated February 24, 2024