Illinois Colleges with low acceptance rates

Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate in Illinois for 2024

These are the most selective public and private four-year colleges in Illinois. The list is ranked by acceptance rate, lowest to highest and limited to schools which reject at least half of all applicants. Leading the list is University of Chicago which sent acceptance letters to only 5% of the 37,522 students who applied and rejected 95%.

Not all schools on the most selective list are overly academically challenging. Some schools with less rigorous test and high school GPA requirements may receive a large numbers of qualified applicants and the school does not have space to admit them all.

If you're looking for challenging colleges, explore rankings of Illinois colleges with the highest SAT scores, highest ACT scores and highest GPA's.
Illinois Low Acceptance % Public Private 4 year

8 results

University of Chicago
Connect Me
C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

5% Acceptance Rate

#7 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $36,991net price
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.95Estimated Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago
Connect Me
C
Chicago, IL
 

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

7% Acceptance Rate

 

  • 1,296enrollment
  • -net price
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwestern University
Connect Me
N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

7% Acceptance Rate

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,161enrollment
  • $22,095net price
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Methodist College of Nursing
Connect Me
M
Peoria, IL
 

Methodist College of Nursing

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

33% Acceptance Rate

 

  • 456enrollment
  • $35,578net price
  • 800-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 23

Compare Calculate my chances 
Illinois Wesleyan University
Connect Me
I
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

42% Acceptance Rate

#3 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $30,096net price
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Connect Me
I
Champaign, IL

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

45% Acceptance Rate

#18 Best Public Universities in America

  • 56,916enrollment
  • $14,544net price
  • 1320-1510SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
Principia College
Connect Me
P
Elsah, Illinois
 

Principia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

48% Acceptance Rate

 

  • 323enrollment
  • $18,039net price
  • 970-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Chicago State University
Connect Me
C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

49% Acceptance Rate

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances