University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, IL · Public · Doctoral / R1 research university

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1310–1520
    Median ~1420
    Acceptance rate
    42%
    Enrollment
    36,258
    ACT middle 50%
    30–34

    How Illinois compares

    • The ~1420 SAT midpoint ranks #25 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #1 of 5 in IL.
    • Its 42% acceptance rate is more selective than 77% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
    • Reported section midpoints skew 40 points toward Math (730 Math vs 690 Reading and Writing).
    • Median earnings 10 years after entry ($81,054) are $17,988 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
    • Out-of-state students pay $19,120 more per year than in-state students ($35,124 vs $16,004).
    National SAT rank
    #25 of 197
    SAT rank in IL
    #1 of 5
    More selective than
    77% of ranked colleges
    Earnings vs national median
    +$17,988

    What the numbers say about Illinois

    • The reported middle 50% spans 210 points, from 1310 to 1520. A planning score near or above 1560 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 690 Reading and Writing and 730 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 42% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 85% completion rate and $81,054 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1420 SAT scorePlan for a 1550Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $16,004
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $35,124
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $81,054
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    85%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1310 and 1520. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1560 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1520 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1420 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1310 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    At or above 1520

    Strong relative score

    At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

    1310–1510

    Within the reported range

    Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

    Below 1310

    Below the reported range

    Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to Illinois's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    Trinity CollegeHartford, CT1300–147029%
    Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY1330–150049%
    University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA1310–150060%
    Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX1340–150026%
    Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA1310–147029%
    Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO1320–148061%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for Illinois?

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1310–1520, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1560 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is Illinois's acceptance rate?

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 42%.

    How much does it cost to attend Illinois?

    In-state tuition is approximately $16,004 and out-of-state is approximately $35,124. These figures exclude room, board, and fees.

    Is Illinois test-optional?

    Many US universities adjusted test policies after 2020. Check University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's admissions page for current test-optional, test-required, or test-flexible policy.

    Official site: www.illinois.edu