Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Illinois State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1010 to 1210 (enrolled, fall 2024 CDS 2024-25, C9). We use 1110 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1010 to 1210 (enrolled, fall 2024 CDS 2024-25, C9) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 21 to 27 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.1% (fall 2024 CDS 2024-25, 21,573 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Illinois State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only about 44% of Illinois State's enrolled fall-2024 first-years submitted an SAT score.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | 1500 to 1560 | 4.5% |
| Northwestern University | 1520 to 1560 | 7.5% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 1390 to 1520 | 36.6% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 1190 to 1400 | 55.4% |
| Loyola University Chicago | 1220 to 1390 | 75.1% |
| DePaul University | 1150 to 1330 | 87.8% |
| University of Illinois Chicago | 1030 to 1300 | 75.8% |
| Bradley University | 1030 to 1240 | 74.6% |
| Illinois State University | 1010 to 1210 | 88.1% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Illinois Colleges.
Illinois has no statewide SAT-cutoff cash scholarship; its best-known score-based distinction, the Illinois State Scholar designation, is honorary with no money attached, so real score-tied dollars come from individual universities' own competitive full-ride programs.
Stamps Scholarship (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Covers tuition, fees, room and board in full, selected during the general admissions review.
Illinois State Scholar designation: Honorary distinction only; no monetary award is attached.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Illinois SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State University | Georgia | 1010 to 1210 |
| Kent State University | Ohio | 990 to 1230 |
| West Virginia University | West Virginia | 1010 to 1210 |
| The Citadel | South Carolina | 1010 to 1220 |
A score that is competitive at Illinois State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Illinois colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1010 to 1210. A score at or above 1210 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1010 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. Illinois State lists its policy as: Test-optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
88.1% (fall 2024 CDS 2024-25, 21,573 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Illinois State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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