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#9 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 

71%
Admission Difficulty for Elmhurst College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Elmhurst College is 71%.  Its admission rate is the 23rd lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

Elmhurst College is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 2,682 out of the 3,762 who applied were admitted.

The school has challenging admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 37 percent on standardized admission tests. 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. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Elmhurst College?

71% 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 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Elmhurst College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

Elmhurst College SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1013-1220

Applicants Submitting SAT 

29%
SAT Scores for Elmhurst College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 503
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1013
SAT Scores for Elmhurst College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1220
Average SAT Score 1120

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 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1013-1220. Students who get into Elmhurst College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Elmhurst College ranks #19 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Elmhurst College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1013 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1013, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, 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 "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 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 1116, you have around a 71% chance of being admitted. A 1220 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 82% chance of getting in.

Elmhurst College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >82%
1116 to 1220 Avg + 71%-82%
1013 to 1116 Avg - 56%-71%
910 to 1013 Reach 41%-56%
Less than 910 Low <41%
Calculate My Chances 

Elmhurst College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

9%
ACT Scores for Elmhurst College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Elmhurst College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

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 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #12 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

9 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 "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 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 25 score has around 71% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 84% with a 29 ACT score.

Elmhurst College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >84%
25 to 29 Avg + 71%-84%
22 to 25 Avg - 59%-71%
19 to 22 Reach 45%-59%
Less than 19 Low <45%
Calculate My Chances 

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?

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. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Elmhurst College is 3.59 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve this GPA, you need to earn B+ letter grades and score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.

 The school ranks #15 in Illinois for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Elmhurst College accepts 71% of students who apply.

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.

The table below details 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

High School Class Rank

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

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 2,106 1,598 3,762
Accepted 1,593 1,060 2,682
Acceptance Rate 76% 66% 71%
Enrolled 333 198 531
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 19% 20%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2023

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on May 1, 2023.

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 Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Recommended
Recommendations Recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

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

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.

FAQs

Does Elmhurst College prefer SAT or ACT?

29% of students submit their SAT scores to Elmhurst College. 9% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Elmhurst College?

71% of those who apply are granted admission to Elmhurst College. Admission competition is low and the college has challenging 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 1013 and 1220. 29% of students submit SAT scores when applying. 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 22 and 29. 9% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.