Top Public · Champaign, IL
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Moderately selective. 42.4% acceptance rate.
Calculate your Illinois oddsHow hard is it to get into Illinois?
Illinois is moderately selective, with a 42.4% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1310–1520 on the SAT and 30–34 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.
Quick Facts
| Acceptance rate | 42.4% |
| SAT (mid-50%) | 1310–1520 |
| ACT (mid-50%) | 30–34 |
| Cost of attendance | $33,642 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 36,258 |
| Type | Public · Top Public |
| Setting | Campus setting |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.
Getting In
Illinois's 42.4% acceptance rate puts it in the moderately selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 1310–1520 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1520, and a quarter scored below 1310. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.
That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.
Personalized estimate
What are your actual odds at Illinois?
Enter your SAT/ACT, GPA, activities, and target schools. Get a probability calibrated to real admit data, not a headline acceptance rate.
Run the calculatorIllinois Test Score Profile
Admitted students score in the following ranges across SAT sections:
SAT Reading
650–740
25th–75th percentile
SAT Math
660–780
25th–75th percentile
Strong applicants tend to score above the 75th percentile in their stronger section and at or above the 25th percentile in their weaker one. Both numbers are descriptive, not prescriptive. Plenty of admitted students score below the 25th percentile in one section, especially with strong context elsewhere.
Beyond the Numbers
Illinois is best known for the Grainger College of Engineering, top-ranked computer science and accounting programs, and a Big Ten campus in Urbana-Champaign. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.
Illinois essay tools
Score, brainstorm, or revise Illinois essays with tools tuned to Illinois's prompts.
Illinois vs. Peer Schools
Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.
| School | Accept | SAT mid-50 | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois This page | 42.4% | 1310–1520 | — |
| UC Berkeley | 11.0% | — | $13,481 |
| UCLA | 9.0% | — | $12,548 |
| UC San Diego | 26.7% | — | $12,470 |
| Michigan | 15.6% | 1360–1530 | $13,138 |
| UNC | 15.3% | 1390–1530 | $11,655 |
FAQ
How hard is it to get into Illinois?
Illinois is moderately selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 42.4%. Admitted students score in the 1310–1520 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.
What SAT score do I need for Illinois?
Admitted students at Illinois typically score between 1310 and 1520 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1520, and a quarter scored below 1310. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.
Sources
All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with Illinois's admissions office before applying.
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — federally maintained dataset on admissions, cost, demographics, and post-graduation outcomes (IPEDS-derived).
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) — the underlying federal data collection that all U.S. accredited institutions report into annually.
- Illinois Common Data Set — the standardized annual data document published by the school.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect Illinois's most recent publicly published admit cycle.