Illinois Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 44 Illinois colleges that have competitive admission is 71.21% for the academic year 2023-2024. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is higher by 0.73%. The acceptance rate at 21 Illinois colleges increased and the rate of 22 colleges decreased.

University of Chicago has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 5.00%. Northwestern University (7.00%) and Chicago State University (41.00%) are following it in the list of Tightest Illinois Colleges to get in.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

University of Chicago stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. Northwestern University also maintained its second place in the ranking.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $41,839 and graduate tuition & fees is $29,741 for the academic year 2023-2024.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.
Table. Tightest Illinois Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-
University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate, 4-year 5.00%
0.43%
87.99%1,550$65,61918,33995.00%5 to 1
2
-
Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate, 4-year 7.00%
0.21%
57.01%1,530$65,99723,16196.00%6 to 1
3
3
Chicago State University Chicago, ILPublic, 4-year 41.00%
7.51%
6.01%-$12,754
($12,754)
2,31727.00%11 to 1
4
1
DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, ILPrivate, 4-year 43.00%
0.02%
82.98%1,050$15,03226,38443.00%49 to 1
5
1
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILPublic, 4-year 44.00%
0.82%
28.00%1,410$39,192
($18,060)
56,91684.00%21 to 1
6
1
Principia College Elsah, ILPrivate, 4-year 44.03%
3.82%
71.19%1,120$33,28032376.00%6 to 1
7
8
Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate, 4-year 55.00%
6.44%
11.00%1,290$50,9176,94375.00%13 to 1
8
1
Rockford University Rockford, ILPrivate, 4-year 57.00%
2.09%
11.01%940$37,0001,18140.00%10 to 1
9
4
North Central College Naperville, ILPrivate, 4-year 58.00%
2.87%
17.01%1,150$44,3942,69563.00%12 to 1
10
2
Lake Forest College Lake Forest, ILPrivate, 4-year 58.99%
0.73%
15.01%1,280$54,2021,75377.00%12 to 1
Average41.30%38.72%1,258$41,839
($15,407)
14,00167.60%15 to 1