ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITIES
2019-2020 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
[WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15!]
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY, Chicago
Requirements: Average GPA: 3.1 and Average ACT: 19. Personal interview if below
requirements. Minimum 2.5 GPA and ACT 18. If lower, 6-week summer bridge program available for
optional pathway.
Size: 2,027 undergrads
Cost: $22,600
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math, 3 Science, 2 years of foreign language,
fine arts or vocational education.
Worth noting: Pharmacy, criminal justice, STEM, nursing, computer sci & art & design &
gaming. Reserves many scholarships for band members. Particular interest in social justice. Debt
forgiveness program. Students with 23 ACT or 1130 SAT & 3.5 GPA and above, and a history of service
activities, may now apply for direct admission into health science programs.
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Charleston
Requirements: Holistic review. Looks at courses, GPA, ACT or SAT, grade trends & essay. If
GPA is less than 2.5 and ACT is less than 18 or SAT less than 960, include a letter of recommendation &
personal statement. For 2019: middle 50% GPA: 3.19 & ACT: 20.7. Gateway program for programs
with students with GPA of 2.0 & 17 ACT.
Size: 6,012 undergrads
Cost: $21,670
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math, 3 Social Sciences, 2 Sciences, 2 years of foreign language.
Worth Noting: Business and technology, education, health and human services. Thriving Greek
life & D1 athletics. Impressive graduation rate for public university. Both school and Charleston are
known to be affordable. Textbook rental system saves money. New electrical engineering program in
2020. Anticipate full nursing program in 2021. Guaranteed tuition rate for 4 years.
GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY, University Park
Requirements: Average GPA: 2.75 and ACT: 17.8. Unconditional admission for 19 ACT or 980
SAT and 2.75 GPA. Optional personal essay encouraged if below. Conditional admission requires
participation in Smart Start, a two-week tuition free program beginning before the start of the fall
semester.
Size: 3,262 undergrads
Cost: $19,718
Required Courses: 4 English, 2 Social Studies, 3 Math, 2 Lab Science, 2 years of foreign language
or fine arts, and 2 years of electives.
Priority filing date of November 15.
Worth Noting: Psychology, health and human services & computer science. Has reinstated the
teacher’s education program. A metamajor philosophy. Students go into 1 of 7 larger groups for gen
eds. These 7 are: STEM, education, humanities, business, social & behavioral, arts & discovery (or
undecided). Starting a forensics team this fall. Most students qualify for financial assistance. Counselor-
in-residence program specifically for students needing mental health support.
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY, Bloomington/Normal
Requirements: Looking at students individually. Mid-range ACT between 21 and 26 or
SAT between 1,030 – 1,200; GPA is 3.1 to 3.8. Optional personal statement explaining why ISU is a
good fit for student is recommended with ACT < 21 and GPA < 3.0. Middle 50% GPA: 3.07 – 3.83.
Size: 18,107 undergrads
Cost: $24,482
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math, 2 Social Science, 2 Natural Science, 2 Foreign
Language or Fine Arts, plus 2 electives. (Must have 2 years of same language or 2 years of any Fine
Arts.) Students self report transcript and test scores.
Priority filing deadline for all materials is November 15
th
Worth Noting: Education, business, nursing, speech pathology, athletic training, cyber
security. Freshmen with 3.0 GPA and 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT receive merit based scholarships. New
bachelor’s of science in sustainability. New bachelor’s of art in studio art. Will have Varsity E-sports
within the year. This is for gamers and is a D1 sport.
NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Chicago
Requirements: Top half AND 18 ACT Composite. Admission Decision Score GPA times
(200) and ACT times (10) (if above 649 or higher = automatic admission). A variety of summer
bridge programs are available for students who need to enhance both academic and social skills and
confidence.
Size: 6,390 undergrads.
Cost: $11,462 (Housing costs an additional approximately $11,350).
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Social Science, 3 Math, 3 Lab Science, 2 years of Foreign
Language or 2 years Fine Arts or any combination of 1 Foreign Language/1 Fine Art.
Deadline: July 15, 2020
Worth Noting: Retention and student success are priorities. Regarded as most diverse
public university in midwest. Hispanic institution “designation.” Students of color make up 60% of
population. Extensive support for undocumented students. Apartment-style housing on
campus. Campus safety is ranked high. Affordable.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DeKalb
Requirements: 2.75 GPA and 19 ACT or 990 SAT OR 2.5 GPA and ACT 23 or 1140 SAT; It is
recommend that students apply by 11/15 for best consideration. Priority deadline of 2/1 for financial aid.
For 2019: Middle 50% GPA 2.86-3.71; Middle 50% ACT: 19-25. Personal statement is recommended only
for students below priority admisson standards. Students can self-report grades. Huskie pledge: IL
students with a 3.0 or higher and family income less than $75,000 may qualify for a tuition free grant.
Size: 12,788 undergrads
Cost: $24,000
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 electives. (Must be Foreign
Language, Art or Music).
Worth Noting: Business, nursing & engineering, including biomedical and mechatronics. New
minor in addiction studies. Rare major of sports management. Actuarial program. A place for students
to be undecided. 50% of students enter undecided. 5 exploratory tracks offered. Celebrate bilingualism
and offer certificates earning close to a minor in world languages. Test optional merit scholarships. Social
mobility is a goal of university. Holmes Student Center undergoing total revitalization to increase
supports for all students. Great school to consider for students who may be late in application process.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Carbondale
Requirements: Holistic review. Students with a 2.0 GPA and an ACT 23 or 1130 SAT or 3.0
GPA and ACT 18 or 960 SAT are admitted. Individual review of application is available for
marginal students. Optional personal statements & letters of recommendation. Middle 50%: 2.73-
3.56 GPA and ACT: 20-26.
Size: 9,552 undergrads
Cost: $25,326
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math (4 Math highly recommended), 3 Lab Science, 3 Social
Science, 3 Electives (foreign language must include 2 semesters of the same language).
December 1
fall priority deadline (for maximum scholarship consideration).
Worth Noting: Business, communications, engineering, aviation, & automotive technology.
New bachelor of science in business analytics. There is a secondary application for the BSN
program. There are 2 new doctoral programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy. Pre-
professional tracks for undergraduates in OT and PT. Opened a new E-sports Arena this fall for
those interested in gaming. New women’s soccer team this fall. First Saluki Center was created to
support including mentorship for first generation college students. 40% of students identify as first
gen.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Edwardsville
Requirements: Middle 50%: ACT: 20-25 or 940-1160 SAT. Looking for 2.5 GPA and ACT 18
or 960 SAT. If below, send personal statement and/or 7
th
semester grades. A 5-week summer bridge
prgram for credit is available.
Size: 10,833 undergrads
Cost: $22,100
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Electives.
Priority filing deadline is December 1
st
Worth Noting: Offers direct admit into nursing, business, education and engineering. School
of pharmacy offers conditional admit. Developing a cyber security engineering program that should
be offered in 2021. Bio processed chemistry is for those stduents who want to be brewmasters.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Chicago
Requirements: Sliding scale. Look at admission grid online for guidelines; however,
individual review is utilized. Last year, middle 50% ACT: 20-27 and 3.0-3.9 GPA. Use Common
Application.
Size: 20,783 undergrads
Cost: $26,800 (tuition varies by academic program)
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Math, 3 Lab Sciences, 3 Social Studies, 2 Foreign Languages
(Recommended), 1 elective.
November 1
is Early Action. November 1st for scholarship consideration.
Worth Noting: Business, engineering, nursing, health sciences, architecture, education,
social work. New academic residential complex is available for 3,800 students on a first-come
basis. Opened an engineering innovation building or 50,000 square feet of new space. This space is
run by students in the business program. A campus that prides itself on being inclusive. Diverse
student population. New programs are BA in design studies and BS in human resource
mgmt. Fastest growing college is applied health sciences.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Champaign/Urbana
Requirements: Varies from college to college; see online bulletin accompanying application;
2019 admitted profile was 1280-1490 SAT or 27-33 ACT with 3.45 – 3.92 GPA; admits “best qualified
students in state”. Students self-report grades and test scores. Recommends that students take more
classes than the minimum requirements. See website.
Size: 33,700 undergrads
Cost: $31,000-$36,100 (Varies depending on program of study)
Required Courses: 4 English, 3-3.5 Math, 2 Science, 2 Social Studies, 2 Foreign Language
(same language), 2 Electives; also 2 required essays if choosing 2 majors (highly recommended).
Priority filing deadline is November 1
st
with notification in mid-December.
Worth Noting: Engineering, business, liberal arts and fine arts. Now 3 pathways to pursue
computer science (engineering, CS + X & information science). Admit students by college &
academic major. Students should explore “Program explorer” or U of I’s online tool to explore
majors, admission criteria and potential career interests. Will have largest and most diverse
freshman class in history. Students should sign up for myillini account.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Springfield
Requirements: Use holistic review. Middle 50%: ACT: 20-27 or 990 – 1218 SAT; GPA: 2.91-
3.8. If below 2.75 or 18 ACT or 960, students should submit a personal statement. Letters of
recommendation are considered. No minimum criteria.
Size: 2,814 undergrads
Cost: $23,323
Required: Look at courses, GPA, test scores, personal/academic statement and letters of
recommendations strongly recommended. 4 English, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math, 2 Foreign
Language OR 2 years of Fine Arts.
Priority deadline is December 1 but accepts applications thru May 1.
Worth Noting: Business, education, biology, computer science, psychology, criminology &
criminal justice. Campus radio for experiential learning. Division 2 athletics. Diversity on campus
with many non -traditional students. Inclusion and diversity center. Generous scholarships.
Affordable.
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, Macomb
Requirements: Primarily considers high school GPA and ACT or SAT score. If lower than
middle which is ACT 21 or SAT 1060 and 3.0 high school GPA, students are encouraged to write a
personal statement that addresses academic goals and how to realize those goals at WIU; Letter of
recommendation will be considered. Middle 50%: 2.76 -3.71 GPA; ACT: 18-23 or SAT: 940-1100.
Size: 5,957 undergrads
Cost: $21,000
Required Courses: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math, 3 Science, 2 Electives
Priority deadline for financial aid is February 1.
Worth Noting: Broadcasting, sports broadcasting, multimedia journalism; engineering, law
enforcement, nursing, sociology, education, forensics. Meterology has new doppler system. New
environmental geology major includes field trips to Yellowstone. Criminology program has new lab.
New majors in electrical, civil and mechanical engineering. Speech pathology and audiology. Nursing
offers direct admit style option with 1160 SAT or 24 ACT or 3.0 GPA. Costs locked for 4 years. There
is a reach program and 2 offices for student development.
