University of Illinois Urbana Champaign campus

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Illinois Admission Requirements

  • 8/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Champaign, IL
  • 4.4 5 reviews
#20 Best Public Universities in America
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Illinois Admission Overview

Illinois admission requirements are competitive. Last year Illinois admitted 42.4% of applicants. GPA is not considered for admission at this campus. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1310-1520 / ACT 30-34. Illinois 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

Illinois Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

42.4%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Acceptance Rate

The Illinois acceptance rate is 42.4%. Last year, 31,247 of 73,742 applicants were admitted. That is the 6th lowest acceptance rate in Illinois and the 177th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Illinois is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Illinois Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is test-optional for first-year applicants, including international, homeschooled, and recruited athletes. SAT or ACT scores are not required for any major, merit scholarships, or honors. Official scores are required only if the student enrolls after reporting them. Illinois uses the highest ACT composite or SAT total without superscoring those totals, plus highest subscores. ACT writing is unused. Applicants without SAT or ACT may need an English-language test.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/first-year-apply/

Illinois SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1310-1520

Freshmen who sent SAT

48%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 660
  • Composite 1310
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 780
  • Composite 1520
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Illinois typically score around a 1420 SAT (middle 50% 1310–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. Illinois ranks #3 in the state of Illinois and #91 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1310 to 1520

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Illinois 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 1420 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1520+ Above 75th >58%
1420 to 1520 Avg + 43%-58%
1310 to 1420 Avg - 28%-43%
Below 1310 Below mid-50 <28%

What do these figures mean?

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

Illinois ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 30
  • Math 28
  • Composite 30
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 35
  • Composite 34
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Illinois typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 30–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Illinois places #3 among colleges in Illinois and #67 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
34+ Above 75th >58%
32 to 34 Avg + 42%-58%
30 to 32 Avg - 28%-42%
Below 30 Below mid-50 <28%

How to read these figures

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 Illinois chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 32,124 41,597 73,742
Accepted 16,102 15,134 31,247
Acceptance Rate 50% 36% 42%
Enrolled 4,469 4,538 9,008
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 30% 29%

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

Application Requirements

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2027

Days left to Apply

127

Applicants have 127 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
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

Illinois is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 42.4% of applicants. GPA is not considered. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1310-1520); 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=145637.

GPA calculator: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026