E
#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

Elmhurst College Admission Requirements

Elmhurst, Illinois

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Elmhurst College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

76%
Admission Difficulty for Elmhurst College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Elmhurst College is 76%.  Its admission rate is the 35th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

Elmhurst 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, 4,356 out of the 5,731 who applied were admitted.

Elmhurst College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.59. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Elmhurst College?

76% 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 Elmhurst College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.59 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1110 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Elmhurst College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.59

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Elmhurst College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Elmhurst College are to have around a 3.59 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.59 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Elmhurst College accepts 76% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Elmhurst College is 3.59 on the 4.0 scale. 23% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #16 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Elmhurst 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 3.6 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 Elmhurst College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 22.95% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.74% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 14.99% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 18.03% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.54% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.88% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.87% 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 

Elmhurst College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Elmhurst College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 32% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

980-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

32%
SAT Scores for Elmhurst College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 980
SAT Scores for Elmhurst College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1110

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Elmhurst College is 1110 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 980-1240. Students who get into Elmhurst College score in the top 64 percent of all SAT test takers..  Elmhurst College ranks #20 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1110 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Elmhurst College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 980 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 980, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 850, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Elmhurst 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 1110 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 1110, you have around a 76% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 86% chance of getting in.

Elmhurst College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >86%
1110 to 1240 Avg + 76%-86%
980 to 1110 Avg - 62%-76%
850 to 980 Reach 47%-62%
Less than 850 Low <47%
Calculate My Chances 

Elmhurst College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Elmhurst College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Elmhurst College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Elmhurst College is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27.  The school ranks #21 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Elmhurst College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 76% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 27 ACT score.

Elmhurst College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >87%
23 to 27 Avg + 76%-87%
20 to 23 Avg - 65%-76%
17 to 20 Reach 51%-65%
Less than 17 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

82% of Elmhurst College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 46% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Elmhurst College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 46%
Top 50% of class 82%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Elmhurst College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,160 2,519 5,731
Accepted 2,550 1,773 4,356
Acceptance Rate 81% 70% 76%
Enrolled 355 262 617
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 15% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Elmhurst College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Elmhurst 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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Elmhurst College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Elmhurst 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 3.59 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1110 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Elmhurst College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144962 IPEDS survey data for Elmhurst College.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Elmhurst College prefer SAT or ACT?

32% of students submit their SAT scores to Elmhurst College. 7% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Elmhurst College?

76% of those who apply are granted admission to Elmhurst College. Admission competition is and the college has average admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Elmhurst College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 980 and 1240. The average SAT score is 1110. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Elmhurst College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 20 and 27. The average ACT score is 23. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.