How hard is it to get into University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
With a 43% acceptance rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is selective — attainable for solid, well-prepared applicants. It enrolls roughly 35,000 undergraduates (small city setting) in Champaign, IL. Solid grades, a sensible test plan, and thoughtful essays go a long way here.
What it takes to get in
- SAT: admitted students land around 1280–1490 (middle 50%). Aim for the upper end to be competitive.
- ACT: the middle 50% is about 28–34.
- GPA: admitted students average around 3.76. Rigor (APs/IB/honors) matters as much as the number.
- Testing policy: Test-optional. Confirm on the school's site, since policies shift each cycle.
- Essays: at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's selectivity, the application essays are often what separates similar applicants. Make them specific and authentically yours.
Cost
Published tuition is about $39,000 out-of-state ($16,000 in-state) per year before aid. Many students pay less after financial aid — check the school's net price calculator.
Notable programs
Computer Science (Grainger) · Engineering · Business (Gies) · Agriculture
Score your University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign essays, free
Great numbers get you in the room; the essays get you in. Paste your draft into Halo for instant, rubric-based feedback. Halo never writes your essay for you.
Try Halo freeUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign admissions FAQ
- What is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's acceptance rate?
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's acceptance rate is 43%, which makes it selective — attainable for solid, well-prepared applicants.
- What SAT or ACT score do you need for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
- Admitted students typically score about 1280–1490 on the SAT (middle 50%) and about 28–34 on the ACT. Scores at or above this range strengthen your application, but they are one factor among many.
- Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign test-optional?
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's current testing policy is: Test-optional. Always confirm on the school's admissions site, as policies change by cycle.
Sources & official links
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign official website
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)
- Admissions figures compiled from the Common Data Set and IPEDS.
Figures are the most recent available from Common Data Set, IPEDS, and public reports, and are approximate. Always confirm details on University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s official admissions site.