Chicago State University acceptance rate and admissions profile
Chicago State University, a public university in Illinois, reports a 43% acceptance rate and sits in the selective band. In practice that means it admits a minority of applicants, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.
Use this page to see what Chicago State University weighs, where it ranks among Illinois schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 980, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into Chicago State University?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Chicago State University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into Chicago State University?
Your odds at Chicago State University are not the same as its 43% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Chicago State University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is Chicago State University hard to get into?
Chicago State University is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 43% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.
What GPA do you need to get into Chicago State University?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at Chicago State University, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. Chicago State University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for Chicago State University?
Chicago State University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 980. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Chicago State University.
What Chicago State University looks for
What Chicago State University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
The factors that carry the most weight at Chicago State University are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Chicago State University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at Chicago State University
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How Chicago State University compares in Illinois
Chicago State University ranks #5 most selective of 37 schools in Illinois in our database.
Among the 37 Illinois schools we track, Chicago State University ranks #5 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like University of Chicago (4%) and Northwestern University (8%) sit nearby, which makes Illinois a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to Chicago State University
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
Applicants targeting Chicago State University often weigh University of South Florida, NC State University, and UC Davis, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does Chicago State University value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, Chicago State University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does Chicago State University favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, Chicago State University generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at Chicago State University?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Chicago State University specifically.
Is Chicago State University a target or a reach for an average applicant?
For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near Chicago State University's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.
Is Chicago State University test-optional?
Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm Chicago State University's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 980; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.