Grade point averages (GPAs) and standardized tests are supposed to measure a student’s preparedness for college. However, not everyone tests well, and there are lots of factors that can affect your GPA. The easiest colleges to get into in Illinois promote policies that make education accessible to all students, even people with a low GPA or bad test scores.
In this guide, you’ll find a list of four-year colleges with high acceptance rates in Illinois. Once you learn about common admission requirements for colleges and universities with high acceptance rates, you can get begin your college applications. Reading about the easiest colleges to get into in Illinois is a good place to start.
What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Illinois?
The easiest colleges to get into in Illinois include National Louis University, Illinois State University, and Roosevelt University. These are schools that have open admissions and non-selective admission policies.
Applying to these universities can increase your chance of admission to a quality school with academic standards that reflect your needs. There are lots of colleges that don’t require GPA scores that can help you build your technical and critical thinking skills and start your career path.
Colleges in Illinois With Open Admissions
Open admissions is an enrollment process that allows students to pursue degree programs without submitting test scores or GPA results. As long as they can pay the annual tuition, any student can get into these schools.
Applying to any of the colleges in Illinois with open admissions, you’d only be required to have a high school diploma or a GED. Keep in mind that some schools with open admissions are smaller or only offer a certain type of degree, which is why they aren’t included in the longer list below.
Open Admissions Colleges in Illinois
- Methodist College
- VanderCook College of Music
Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in Illinois?
Yes, there are good universities with high acceptance rates in Illinois. However, you have to be strategic when you start your applications for admission. For the best college experience, check your school’s admission criteria and make sure it has the program you want. Most universities that offer open admissions have small student populations and may not offer beyond a bachelor’s degree level.
Common Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Illinois
Every college in Illinois has its own set of admission requirements, which varies for international students and out-of-state applicants. Most colleges with the highest acceptance rates in Illinois don’t demand high grade point averages or test scores, but you might have to submit your scores regardless. Below are the common admission requirements for Illinois colleges and universities with high acceptance rates.
- GPA. Most of the easiest colleges to get into in Illinois request a grade point average between 2.0 and 2.5. While you can still gain admission with a GPA below 2.0, you may be required to complete a placement test or prerequisite academic courses.
- Academic test scores. To get into a decent four-year college in Illinois, you should take the SAT or ACT. While standardized test scores are optional for some schools, submitting them can boost your chances of admission. Most of the schools on the list below require low minimum scores.
- Supplemental documents. Recommendation letters, a personal statement, or teacher evaluation can help the admissions committee assess your personality and academic performance. This will increase your chances of getting into a degree program, though they aren’t usually required for undergraduate students.
- Official transcripts. High school and college transcripts provide information about your academic background, including proof of completion for prerequisite courses. School transcripts are a major requirement in all US higher learning institutions. Request your official transcripts before you start applying for colleges.
- English proficiency report. If you’re an international student, you may be required to submit a TOEFL or an IELTS English test report. This proves your competence in the English language, which is important for prospective students. You can’t complete a four-year program if you don’t speak the language.
The Best Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Illinois
| School | Acceptance Rate | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Methodist College | 100% | $18,008 |
| VanderCook College of Music | 100% | $29,800 |
| Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | 98% | $12,219 |
| National Louis University | 97% | $11,505 |
| Columbia College Chicago | 96% | $27,786 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 95% | $15,240 |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | 93% | $20,250 |
| Illinois State University | 92% | $15,319 |
| Roosevelt University | 92% | $31,493 |
| Trinity International University | 91% | $33,298 |
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Illinois: A Closer Look
We’ve curated a list of the top 10 four-year colleges in Illinois that have the highest admission rates. While none of the schools have an official open admission policy, they accept the vast majority of applicants, no matter what your school transcripts say. Read below to learn more about the easiest colleges to get into in Illinois that have a high average acceptance rate.
Methodist College
- Location: Peoria, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 9
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, and admission test scores (SAT/ACT)
Methodist College is a private, not-for-profit four-year college that was founded as a nursing training school in 1900. This close-knit college had a student enrollment of 494 undergraduates and 33 graduate students in 2022. Prospective students can pursue a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a healthcare field to start their nursing career.
VanderCook College of Music
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 26
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, recommendations, formal demonstration of competencies, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
VanderCook College of Music is a premier four-year music college in Chicago. It was founded as a college of education to prepare music teachers for successful careers in the industry by promoting hands-on experience. Accepted students can choose between certifications, master’s, and bachelor’s programs in music education or performance.
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
- Location: Edwardsville, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 8,995
- Percent admitted: 98%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is a public institution in Illinois that has a low cost of tuition and minimum grade requirements. This nationally recognized university has a diverse population of students pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, sciences, arts, education, human behavior, health, engineering, and business.
National Louis University
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 1,518
- Percent admitted: 97%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school record, secondary school GPA, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
National Louis University is a private, non-profit institution that has locations in Chicago and Florida. There are 67 academic programs at NLU, including career-focused endorsement, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. This school is known for its small class sizes and strong professional development resources.
Columbia College Chicago
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 7,218
- Percent admitted: 96%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school record
Columbia College Chicago is a private college that specializes in liberal arts, creative and media arts, and business disciplines. It has many student organizations and other resources for undergraduates students to help build community on and off campus. The average cost of tuition at Columbia College Chicago is high, but it is worth it.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Location: Carbondale, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 6,987
- Percent admitted: 95%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, completion of college-preparatory program
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public four-year institution that was first founded as a teacher’s college. There are over 200 academic majors, minors, and specializations to choose from in online, on-campus, or off-campus formats. Candidates for admission must submit their student records and GPA.
Chamberlain University-Illinois
- Location: Addison, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 28
- Percent admitted: 93%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, other tests
Chamberlain University is a private university that offers a quality nursing program with an impressive NCLEX approval rate. It is one of the best schools with nursing programs in the state, along with Rush Medical College, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine And Science.
Illinois State University
- Location: Normal, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 11,913
- Percent admitted: 92%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, admission test scores (SAT/ACT), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), completion of the college-preparatory program.
Illinois State University is one of the oldest public universities in Illinois. The student population at Illinois State University is about 18,250 undergraduates and 2,628 graduates, from 47 states and 74 countries. Students can pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees across seven schools and colleges.
Roosevelt University
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 3,541
- Percent admitted: 92%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary record, completion of college-preparatory program
Roosevelt University is a private institution in Chicago. Although it requires standardized test scores, your chances of admission are still very high. It offers many health and science programs, so if you want to get a graduate degree in primary care or a related subject, this is one of the best medical schools to do so.
Trinity International University
- Location: Deerfield, IL
- Number of applicants per year: 373
- Percent admitted: 91%
- Admissions requirements: Secondary school GPA, secondary school record, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Trinity International University is a private Christian university that has four schools, including a divinity school, liberal arts college, law school, and graduate school. This school has an applicant pool of dedicated students, regardless of their minimum grade. The admission criteria includes your GPA and student records.
Online Colleges Based in Illinois That Are Easy to Get Into
Below are the top online colleges in Illinois that have high acceptance rates. While they don’t have an open admission policy, prospective online students won’t have to go through a strict selective admission process to earn a degree from any of these schools. You can get into a good college with just a short online application for admission.
The following are the easiest online colleges based in Illinois to get into:
- Aurora University. While Aurora University doesn’t have an open admissions policy, it is a notable online college in Illinois with a high acceptance rate. It offers a wide range of online programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. You can also pursue endorsement courses at this school.
- Eastern Illinois University. This is a good choice for distance-learning students looking for top online colleges in Illinois with high acceptance rates. You can pursue professional certificates, graduate certificates, undergraduate completion degrees, and master’s degrees at this university. The average review of this school is overwhelmingly positive.
- Concordia University Chicago. Concordia University is a private university that offers a broad range of flexible academic programs. Known to cater to all kinds of busy adults, online students can choose between the self-paced and accelerated degree options at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This school will help you pursue your career aspirations and earn a high cumulative grade.
- Greenville University. Greenville University is another Christ-centered private university in Illinois that offers a broad range of online programs. Working professionals and adult learners will both benefit from its diverse range of flexible and affordable academic programs. Aside from being able to complete your entire degree online, you can transfer up to 90 credits to your undergraduate program.
- Loyola University Chicago. Loyola University Chicago is a Jesuit Catholic university in Chicago that offers online and in-person classes. This private research university is an ideal place for remote learners to complete courses as non-degree students or as regular students. Just visit the student application portal to start your journey.
Should I Attend Community College in Illinois and Then Transfer to University?
Yes, you should attend a community college in Illinois and then transfer to a university. This is a good idea if you don’t have a high GPA or test scores out of high school. The best community colleges in Illinois allow you to earn two years’ worth of credits so you can apply them to an advanced degree.
Community colleges are an ideal alternative for students who want to boost their GPAs before applying to bachelor’s degree programs. According to Statista, over four million Americans are in community college. This is a common choice for people who don’t yet meet admissions requirements for universities.
Easiest Community Colleges to Get Into in Illinois
Most community colleges in Illinois have an open admission policy, making it easy for students to earn college credits without worrying about the admission process. Most community colleges don’t have strict demands for your GPA, test scores, or supplemental documents. We’ve highlighted some of the best community colleges in Illinois to help you get started.
Illinois Community Colleges That Are Easy to Get Into
- Elgin Community College
- William Rainey Harper College
- Lincoln Land Community College
- Oakton Community College
- College of DuPage
Should I Attend a University in Illinois With a High Acceptance Rate?
Yes, you should attend a university in Illinois with a high acceptance rate if you don’t have a strong academic background. You won’t have to worry about being denied admissions, whether you apply to an engineering college or nursing degree. Even with an average GPA, prospective students can gain admission to top majors like primary care, business, and nursing.
There are lots of great schools in the United States, like the University of California, Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and Rochester University. However, applying for universities with high acceptance rates will help you avoid stress and get into your choice of college more easily.
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Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Illinois FAQ
Yes, many colleges have a 100 percent acceptance rate, including Methodist College and VanderCook School of Music. In most cases, most colleges and universities that have 100 percent acceptance rates have implemented an open admission policy.
The easiest majors include communications, psychology, business administration, and criminal justice. However, it depends on your capabilities and strengths. For example, if you excel in math and aren’t good at writing essays, then an accounting major will be easier for you than an English major.
If you have a low GPA and a high SAT score, you can still gain admission into a decent school. However, most schools prioritize the student’s GPA over their standardized test scores. Regardless, you can start at a two-year college to build your grade point average before applying to elite schools.
The easiest four-year college to get into is Methodist University in Illinois. There are lots of schools out there that are easy to get into and have high acceptance rates. These colleges don’t make strict demands on test scores or grade point averages, making it easy for all kinds of students to get in.
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