CollegeCalcAI
SelectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of Illinois acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of Illinois is a public university in Illinois with a 45% acceptance rate, which makes it selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Illinois schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
45%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1480
of admitted students
Type
Public
Illinois
Selectivity in state
#3
of 37 in IL
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What University of Illinois looks for

What University of Illinois weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Very important
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Illinois

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Illinois
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of Illinois compares in Illinois

University of Illinois ranks #3 most selective of 37 schools in Illinois in our database.

University of Chicago
5%acceptance · IL
Northwestern University
7%acceptance · IL
Illinois Wesleyan University
52%acceptance · IL
Lake Forest College
55%acceptance · IL
Chicago State University
56%acceptance · IL
Trinity Christian College
60%acceptance · IL
Augustana College
62%acceptance · IL
North Central College
62%acceptance · IL
See all Illinois schools →

Similar to University of Illinois

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Auburn University
44%acceptance · AL
Morgan State University
46%acceptance · MD
University of Maryland
44%acceptance · MD
University of South Florida
46%acceptance · FL
Colorado School of Mines
44%acceptance · CO
NC State University
47%acceptance · NC

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of Illinois?

University of Illinois has a 45% acceptance rate, which makes it selective — it admits a minority of applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of Illinois?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1480. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of Illinois value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Illinois weighs academic gpa, state residency, rigor of secondary school record most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of Illinois?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of Illinois in a few minutes, no account required.

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.