University of Illinois Springfield admits approximately 84.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the Open Access category, reflecting a mission to provide broad educational opportunity rather than selective exclusivity. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows University of Illinois Springfield operates similarly to comparable public institutions, with only a 0.2 percentage point difference. This level of accessibility means that academically prepared students can expect admission with reasonable confidence, though meeting minimum academic standards remains important. The institution's open access approach aligns with its substantial transfer student population of 64.1%, indicating systems designed to accommodate students from diverse educational backgrounds. For prospective students, this admission rate suggests that academic preparation and program fit matter more than competitive rankings against other applicants. Students should focus on demonstrating readiness for college-level work rather than viewing University of Illinois Springfield as highly uncertain. The combination of accessible admission with above-average test score ranges suggests the institution attracts academically capable students who value practical outcomes over prestige. This creates an environment where students can focus on academic and career preparation rather than competitive pressure.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University of Illinois Springfield demonstrate strong academic preparation despite the institution's open access admission policy. The middle 50% of enrolled students score between 1010 and 1210 on the SAT, with a median of 1118. SAT Math scores range from 500 to 600, while SAT Verbal scores span 510 to 610, showing balanced preparation across disciplines. ACT scores range from 21 to 28 with a median of 24, indicating solid college readiness. These test scores rank at the 90th percentile for SAT and 92nd percentile for ACT nationally, representing excellent tier performance that significantly exceeds typical expectations for open access institutions. Compared to peer institutions, University of Illinois Springfield students score 28 points higher on the SAT and 2 points higher on the ACT, demonstrating the institution's ability to attract well-prepared students despite accessible admission standards. The P25 scores (1010 SAT, 21 ACT) represent the 25th percentile of enrolled students, not minimum requirements, meaning students with lower scores can gain admission but represent a smaller portion of the student body. Students scoring within the middle 50% ranges should feel academically competitive for success at University of Illinois Springfield. Those scoring below the P25 should expect to work harder initially but are not automatically excluded from consideration. This academic profile suggests an environment where prepared students can thrive while less prepared students receive the support needed for success.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Illinois Springfield enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both traditional college students and non-traditional learners. The institution serves 35.9% Pell-eligible students, indicating a substantial population from lower-income families, and 36.2% first-generation students, demonstrating commitment to serving students whose families lack college experience. Perhaps most notably, 64.1% of students are transfers, making University of Illinois Springfield primarily a transfer-serving institution rather than a traditional four-year college. This transfer concentration indicates sophisticated systems for credit evaluation, degree completion, and support services tailored to students who have already begun their college journey elsewhere. The institution's admission priorities clearly emphasize accessibility and degree completion over traditional selectivity measures. Geographic diversity reflects primarily regional enrollment patterns typical of public institutions serving working adults and transfer students. First-generation students should know that more than one-third of enrolled students share their background, creating peer networks and institutional understanding of their unique challenges. Students from lower-income families can expect to find substantial representation among their classmates, with financial aid systems designed to support this population. Transfer applicants should view University of Illinois Springfield as particularly welcoming, with majority transfer enrollment indicating expertise in helping students complete degrees efficiently.
Given University of Illinois Springfield's 84.4% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students can expect admission. However, students seeking different options should consider alternatives based on location, cost, or outcomes.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
University of Illinois Springfield demonstrates solid retention and completion outcomes that exceed peer institution performance. 80.7% of freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 73.2%, indicating above-average first-year student support and engagement. The 7.5 percentage point advantage over peers suggests effective systems for helping students navigate the transition to university life. Six-year graduation rates reach 61.4% overall, substantially higher than the peer median of 49.3%, representing a 12.1 percentage point advantage. This significant completion advantage indicates institutional effectiveness in supporting students through degree completion despite serving diverse populations including substantial transfer and first-generation student populations. Pell-eligible students graduate at 48.1%, creating a 13.3 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. While this gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students, the overall Pell completion rate exceeds typical performance for open access institutions. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support systems designed to promote retention and completion. The combination of accessible admission with above-peer completion rates suggests University of Illinois Springfield has developed effective approaches to student success across diverse populations. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of an institutional culture that prioritizes student success over exclusivity, creating environments where persistence and engagement lead to degree completion.
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