This article offers a wealth of knowledge on UIUC Acceptance Rate, assisting students in making informed decisions regarding their higher education choices.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, also known as UIUC, has just admitted its largest freshman class ever, with around 34,000 undergraduate students now enrolled. UIUC is famous for its excellent engineering, business, and computer science programs, attracting high-achieving students from all over the world.
With so many talented students applying to join the Fighting Illini, it’s essential for applicants to understand the competition they face. To help, the College Transitions team will provide valuable guidance and information to assist aspiring students in navigating the admissions process at this prestigious university.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025
The University’s incoming first-year class for the academic year 2021-22 made history, as a remarkable total of 8,303 students secured their places, establishing a record-breaking university-wide enrollment.
These bright individuals emerged victorious from an extensive pool of 47,593 applicants, yielding a respectable acceptance rate of 60%. In comparison, during the previous admissions cycle, the institution welcomed 63% of the 43,473 undergraduate candidates who submitted their applications.
Going further into the acceptance rates for the Class of 2025, we discover the following figures for residents, out-of-state applicants, and international students, reflecting the university’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive student body.
- Residents: 67%
- Non-Resident (U.S.): 57%
- International: 50%
The acceptance rate also varies greatly by school as evidenced by the following first-choice school acceptance rates for the Class of 2025:
- Agr, Consumer, Env Sciences: 65%
- Applied Health Sciences: 54%
- Division of General Studies: 57%
- Education: 66%
- Fine & Applied Arts: 59%
- Business: 39%
- Engineering: 33%
- Information Sciences: 76%
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: 59%
- Media: 50%
- Social Work: 46%
UIUC Admissions – SAT, ACT, GPA, and Class Rank
Among those enrolled in the Class of 2025, the average unweighted GPA was a 3.67, the mean SAT was a 1410 and the mean ACT was a 31. The previous year, 52% were in the top decile of their high school class, 86% were in the top quartile, and 99% were in the top half.
However, it is important to note that the academic standards for gaining acceptance into various colleges within the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign varies by college/program. Below are a handful of examples:
Gies College of Business
- Unweighted GPA Range: 3.61-3.95
- SAT range: 1360-1480
- ACT range: 30-33
Grainger College of Engineering
- Unweighted GPA Range: 3.75-4.00
- SAT range: 1440-1540
- ACT range: 32-35
School of Information Sciences
- Unweighted GPA Range: 3.38-3.75
- SAT range: 1370-1500
- ACT range: 29-34
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Unweighted GPA Range: 3.55-3.95
- SAT range: 1330-1500
- ACT range: 29-34
College of Education
- Unweighted GPA Range: 3.36-3.80
- SAT range: 1160-1350
- ACT range: 25-30
Admissions Trends & Notes
- 1,352 students in the Class of 2025 came from 44 U.S. States outside of Illinois.
- There were also 1,112 international students from 42 countries in the Class of 2025, up from 954 in 2019, just prior to the pandemic.
- 20% of 2021-22 freshmen were members of underrepresented minority groups.
- First-generation students also comprised 20% of the Class of 2025.
- The school was test optional during the past cycle and 58% of students that went on to enroll in the Class of 2025 elected to submit test scores.
Who Gets Into the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign?
Let’s look at the demographics of UIUC undergraduates:
The majority of UIUC Class of 2025 members hailed from Illinois and paid in-state tuition. The next most common feeder states were:
- California: 459
- New Jersey: 152
- Texas: 80
- New York: 61
- Virginia: 55
- Washington: 51
- Massachusetts: 42
- Georgia: 34
- Florida: 33
- Missouri: 32
- Pennsylvania: 32
UIUC Acceptance Rate CONTD..
Looking at ethnic identity among the Fighting Illini first-year students, the breakdown is as follows:
- Asian American: 26%
- Hispanic: 13%
- African American: 5%
- International: 14%
- White: 36%
International students hail from 42 countries with the greatest representation from the following nations:
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2025 shows more men than women presently on campus:
- Male: 54%
- Female: 46%
UIUC’s Yield Rate
UIUC’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was only 29%. To compare this school to other flagship public institutions, UT-Austin has a 46% yield, UGA comes in at 45%, and Ohio State’s is 30%.
How UIUC Rates Applicants
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) places great importance on two key factors in their admissions process: an applicant’s GPA and the rigor of their secondary school curriculum. Additionally, four other factors are considered important: standardized test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, and talent/ability.
- Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, UIUC adopted a test-optional policy for the 2020-21 admissions cycle, and this approach will continue for applicants seeking admission in the 2023-24 academic year.
- According to the admissions office, consistent and exceptional academic achievement serves as the strongest demonstration of a candidate’s academic prowess. They value the courses taken and grades earned, recognizing that educational opportunities vary among high schools. As such, UIUC recommends taking the most challenging coursework available, as long as students can succeed. Higher grades achieved later in high school are given greater weight in the admissions decision, and the evaluation also considers in-progress coursework. Therefore, it is crucial for applicants to continue working diligently and challenging themselves in their senior year.
Tips for Applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
If you plan on joining the 47,000+ UIUC hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- UIUC does not offer interviews. Therefore, the best way to personalize the admissions process is through your essays.
- UIUC does not consider “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process. This means you will not gain an advantage by visiting campus, connecting through social media, emailing an admissions officer, etc.
- You can apply by November 1 to meet the Priority Admission Deadline. The Regular Decision deadline is January 5.
- Students can apply via the Common App, Coalition App, or through the myIllini platform.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the (up to) three short answer prompts that you may need to address. Each answer should be no more than 150 words.
If You’re Applying to a Major:
- In the past 3 to 4 years, what experience(s) have you had (inside or outside of the classroom) related to your selected first-choice major or academic interest?
- How does your selected first-choice major relate to your future career goals?
If You’re Applying to Our Undeclared Program in the Division of General Studies:
- What are your academic interests and strengths? You may also include any majors you are considering.
- What are your future academic or career goals?
If You’ve Selected a Second-Choice Major (Including Undeclared):
- Please explain your interest in your second-choice major or your overall academic or career goals.
Should I Apply to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), the student body typically boasts impressive academic records, with most students maintaining A-/B+ averages and achieving standardized test scores that surpass the 90th percentile of all test-takers. However, even if your academic credentials fall below these lofty benchmarks, there remains a promising opportunity for acceptance to one of the University of Illinois branch campuses scattered throughout the state.
For all high school students aspiring to attend college, it is essential to craft a well-considered and comprehensive college list, thoughtfully comprising a blend of “target” and “safety” schools. This endeavor can be effectively undertaken with the invaluable guidance and expertise of an admissions professional who remains up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies relevant to your prospective colleges, ensuring that your application endeavors are meticulously aligned with your educational aspirations.
