Illinois State University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Illinois State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

89%

Admission Difficulty for Illinois State University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Average
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at ISU is 89%. Its admission rate is the 44th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

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

Illinois State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 18,589 out of the 20,884 who applied were admitted.

Illinois State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.41. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into ISU?

89% 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.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Illinois State University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.41 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1120 on the SAT
Score 24 on the ACT

ISU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.41

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Illinois State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into ISU are to have around a 3.41 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.41 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as ISU accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at ISU is 3.41 on the 4.0 scale. 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 #29 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since ISU 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 3.4 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 Illinois State University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	1.88%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	18.2%	Good
3.50 to 3.74	22.48%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	28.56%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	15.81%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	12.42%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.48%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.12%	Reach
less than 1.00	0.12%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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ISU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Illinois State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 35% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1010-1230

Applicants Submitting SAT

35%

SAT Scores for Illinois State University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	510
Math 25th Percentile	500
Composite 25th Percentile	1010

SAT Scores for Illinois State University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	620
Math 75th Percentile	610
Composite 75th Percentile	1230
Average SAT Score	1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Illinois State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at ISU is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1010-1230. Students who get into Illinois State University score in the top 59 percent of all SAT test takers.. ISU ranks #20 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. ISU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1010 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1010, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Illinois State University 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 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1120, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1230 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

Illinois State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1230 and Above	Good	>94%
1120 to 1230	Avg +	89%-94%
1010 to 1120	Avg -	81%-89%
900 to 1010	Reach	69%-81%
Less than 900	Low	<69%

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ISU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

22-27

Applicants Submitting ACT

10%

ACT Scores for Illinois State University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	21
Math 25th Percentile	19
Composite 25th Percentile	22

ACT Scores for Illinois State University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	27
Math 75th Percentile	26
Composite 75th Percentile	27
Average ACT Score	24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into ISU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to ISU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 27. The school ranks #18 in Illinois for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. 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 20.

10 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Illinois State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Illinois State University 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 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into ISU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 27 ACT score.

Illinois State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
27 and Above	Good	>95%
24 to 27	Avg +	89%-95%
22 to 24	Avg -	83%-89%
20 to 22	Reach	74%-83%
Less than 20	Low	<74%

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Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Illinois State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	12,175	8,709	20,884
Accepted	11,112	7,477	18,589
Acceptance Rate	91%	86%	89%
Enrolled	2,370	1,777	4,147
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	21%	24%	22%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Apr 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Illinois State University is $55.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Illinois State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Illinois State University 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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Illinois State University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Illinois State University 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 3.41 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.