Colleges › Illinois › Aurora University
Aurora University
Most applicants get into Aurora University — 80.8% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Aurora University occupies suburban Aurora, IL — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $90,089 four years out. Faculty pay averages $109,704 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 3,974 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 77.1% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 930 and 1133 — below the IL middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Aurora University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Aurora University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 930–1133 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Aurora University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 470 | 525 | 583 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 510 | 550 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 26 | 26 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Aurora University received 5,264 applications and admitted 4,482 (85.1%), with 829 enrolling.
How Aurora University compares
| Aurora University | Illinois median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 80.8% | 77% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $29,170 | $31,360 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $58,709 | $58,572 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Aurora University student earns $58,709 — 0% above the Illinois median of $58,572 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Aurora University lists tuition at $29,170 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Aurora University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $29,170 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Aurora University enrolls 3,974 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Aurora University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
60.3% graduate within six years. Roughly 40% don't — ask a Aurora University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Aurora University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $90,089 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,022 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $77,436 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,820 |
| Marketing | $64,813 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,446 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,808 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $60,775 |
| Political Science and Government | $58,503 |
| Psychology, General | $55,697 |
| Social Work | $55,546 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $52,987 |
| Biology, General | $52,159 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,079 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,471 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,609 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $44,786 |
Median earnings for these 17 Aurora University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $58,709 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 28 additional Aurora University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Aurora University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 930–1133 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 80.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Aurora University's acceptance rate?
85.1% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,482 admitted from 5,264 applicants.
How much does Aurora University cost?
At Aurora University, published tuition is $29,170 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Aurora University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Aurora University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $58,709 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Illinois
- Augustana College — 62.7% admitted
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago — 77.5% admitted
- Blackburn College — 63.2% admitted
- Bradley University — 76.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.