Illinois Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 55 four-year colleges in Illinois (24 target, 11 reach, 20 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in Illinois for a 3.5 GPA

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have average GPAs near 3.5 - your grades fit squarely in the admitted pool.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Chicago, IL

 3.41 77% Medium

Normal, IL

 3.41 88% Medium

Dekalb, IL

 3.3 70% Medium

Chicago, IL

 3.41 89% Medium

Romeoville, IL

 3.6 71% Medium

Aurora, IL

 3.56 81% Medium

Edwardsville, IL

 3.54 97% Medium

Elmhurst, IL

 3.59 74% Medium

Macomb, IL

 3.45 71% Medium

Naperville, IL

 3.6 77% Medium

Charleston, IL

 3.39 65% Medium

Springfield, IL

 3.46 86% Medium
View all 24 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average GPAs; admission is possible but more competitive.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Chicago, IL

 3.95 4% Low

Evanston, IL

 3.92 8% Low

Champaign, IL

 3.79 42% Low

Chicago, IL

 3.71 82% Low

Chicago, IL

 3.8 76% Low

Wheaton, IL

 3.75 87% Low

Peoria, IL

 3.83 77% Low

Chicago, IL

 3.84 55% Low

River Forest, IL

 3.74 90% Low

Bloomington, IL

 3.86 39% Low

University Park, IL

 4.0 48% Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average GPAs well below 3.5; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Carbondale, IL

 3.24 87% High

Chicago, IL

 3.1 75% High

Chicago, IL

 3.13 97% High

Chicago, IL

 3.14 69% High

Lisle, IL

 3.26 95% High

Eureka, IL

 3.22 85% High

River Forest, IL

 3.18 93% High

Deerfield, IL

 3.26 100% High

Rockford, IL

 3.25 93% High

Chicago, IL

 2.8 95% High

Greenville, IL

 3.23 97% High

Chicago, IL

 - 100% High
View all 20 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.5 GPA in Illinois

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026