Illinois State University Acceptance Rate
Normal, Illinois · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 20,884
- Admitted
- 18,589
- Yield
- 22.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Illinois State University's acceptance rate has risen from 73.9% in 2014–15 to 89% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 15,298 to 20,884 (+37%) over that period.
Its 89% rate makes Illinois State University more selective than about 23% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 50 tracked Illinois schools, it is more selective than about 16%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (91.3% for women vs 85.9% for men, a 5.4-point gap). Illinois State University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 22.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 15,298 | 11,302 | 73.9% | 3,589 |
| 2015–16 | 12,139 | 10,648 | 87.7% | 3,630 |
| 2016–17 | 12,078 | 10,735 | 88.9% | 3,694 |
| 2017–18 | 11,592 | 10,332 | 89.1% | 3,352 |
| 2018–19 | 12,886 | 11,492 | 89.2% | 3,689 |
| 2019–20 | 16,151 | 13,234 | 81.9% | 3,860 |
| 2020–21 | 15,487 | 12,593 | 81.3% | 3,353 |
| 2021–22 | 11,913 | 10,905 | 91.5% | 3,374 |
| 2022–23 | 19,596 | 16,899 | 86.2% | 3,983 |
| 2023–24 | 20,884 | 18,589 | 89% | 4,147 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 12,175 | 11,112 | 91.3% |
| Men | 8,709 | 7,477 | 85.9% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 510–620 | 35% |
| SAT Math | 500–610 | |
| ACT Composite | 22–27 | 10% |
How Illinois State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Illinois State University's acceptance rate?
Illinois State University's acceptance rate is 89% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (18,589 admitted of 20,884 applicants).
Is Illinois State University test optional?
Illinois State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Illinois State University?
Illinois State University received 20,884 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 18,589.
What SAT score do you need for Illinois State University?
Admitted students at Illinois State University typically scored 510–620 on SAT Reading/Writing and 500–610 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Illinois State University getting harder to get into?
Illinois State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 73.9% in 2014–15 to 89% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: illinoisstate.edu/.