University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
Illinois is test-optional, but its enrolled score range is still a strong signal: 41% submitted SAT scores, and the middle range is 1390-1520. If you test, aim toward the upper end of that SAT band to strengthen your application at a selective public university.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign facts and stats
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign enrolls 37,140 undergraduates in a suburban campus setting. Illinois has a 95% freshman retention rate, well above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 85%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1.
Champaign, IL
How do your scores compare at Illinois?
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Key University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
January 5
Early Action
November 1
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
March 15
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional Illinois, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year and reserve the summer before senior year and the fall of senior year for retakes. For the November 1 Early Action deadline, treat the October SAT or September ACT as the last retake likely to arrive in time and use each retake as a chance to strengthen your superscore.
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What you'll actually pay
Illinois is a public Big Ten university with in-state tuition of $12,712 and out-of-state tuition of $31,208. About 42% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is March 15.
Out-of-state tuition at Illinois is $31,208, compared with $12,712 for in-state students, and room and board adds $13,772. About 42% of students receive financial aid, with an average aid package of $23,526. Merit awards average $5,756, which can help reduce costs for qualifying students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $22,395.
Student life at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
34% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 14% of men join fraternities, and 19% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
American Islamic College
Chicago, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
Augustana College
Rock Island, ILAcceptance rate: 62.8%
SAT: 1040–1260
ACT: 21–29
Aurora University
Aurora, ILAcceptance rate: 80.8%
SAT: 900–1160
ACT: 21–29
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
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