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Illinois State University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Normal, IL🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

Illinois State is a public university in Normal, Illinois, with about 20,700 students and an 88% acceptance rate. The school is most known for Business & Marketing and Education degrees. First-year retention is 81%, though the six-year graduation rate is 65%. Graduates earn a median of $62,117 ten years after entry, with typical federal debt around $20,482.

Acceptance rate
88.2%
Enrollment
20,683
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
65%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
990 – 1210
ACT (composite)
21 – 27
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$11,568
family income
$30–48k
$12,301
family income
$48–75k
$16,348
family income
$75–110k
$23,865
family income
$110k+
$28,224
family income
32% receive Pell grants
43% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Illinois State University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Business & Marketing
21.6%
Education
18.1%
Health Professions
9.0%
Communications
5.7%
Computer Science
5.5%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$62,117
Earnings (6 yr)
$50,599
Completion
65%
Retention
81%
Median debt
$20,482

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Illinois State University?

Illinois State University has an acceptance rate of 88.2%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Illinois State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 990 and 1210 on the SAT. The ACT range is 21–27.

How much does Illinois State University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $11,568 per year, rising to $28,224 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Illinois State University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.