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#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

Wheaton College Admission Requirements

Wheaton, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into Wheaton College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

88.4%
Admission Difficulty for Wheaton College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Wheaton College is 88.4%.  Its admission rate is the 47th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

Wheaton College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,674 out of the 1,893 who applied were admitted.

Wheaton College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Wheaton College?

88% 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 Wheaton College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1340 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Wheaton College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Wheaton College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Wheaton College are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.75 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Wheaton College accepts 88% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Wheaton College is 3.75 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 #9 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Wheaton College 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.

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 Wheaton College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 11.39% Good
3.75 to 3.99 49.91% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 21.82% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 10.44% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 4.74% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.52% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.19% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Wheaton College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Wheaton College. 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 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1250-1430

Applicants Submitting SAT 

38%
SAT Scores for Wheaton College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 610
Composite 25th Percentile 1250
SAT Scores for Wheaton College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 720
Math 75th Percentile 710
Composite 75th Percentile 1430
Average SAT Score 1340

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Wheaton College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Wheaton College is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1250-1430. Students who get into Wheaton College score in the top 18 percent of all SAT test takers..  Wheaton College ranks #4 in the state of Illinois and #138 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Wheaton College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1250 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1250, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1160, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Wheaton College 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 1340 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 1340, you have around a 88% chance of being admitted. A 1430 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

Wheaton College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1430 and Above Good >93%
1340 to 1430 Avg + 88%-93%
1250 to 1340 Avg - 79%-88%
1160 to 1250 Reach 67%-79%
Less than 1160 Low <67%
Calculate My Chances 

Wheaton College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

23%
ACT Scores for Wheaton College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 29
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Wheaton College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 31
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Wheaton College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Wheaton College is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 33.  The school ranks #6 in Illinois and #123 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 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Wheaton College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 88% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 33 ACT score.

Wheaton College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >94%
30 to 33 Avg + 88%-94%
28 to 30 Avg - 81%-88%
26 to 28 Reach 72%-81%
Less than 26 Low <72%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

55% of Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 54.8%
Top 25% of class 81.7%
Top 50% of class 97%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Wheaton College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,107 786 1,893
Accepted 997 677 1,674
Acceptance Rate 90% 86% 88%
Enrolled 303 201 504
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 30% 30% 30%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

267

Applicants have 267 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Wheaton College is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Wheaton College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Wheaton College 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 Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Wheaton College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Wheaton College 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 3.75 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1340 and ACT of 30 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Wheaton College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149781 IPEDS survey data for Wheaton College.

Last updated February 24, 2024