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Eastern Illinois University
Most applicants get into Eastern Illinois University — 65.3% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Eastern Illinois University anchors the college town of Charleston, IL, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, where graduates median $81,362 four years out. Faculty pay averages $113,784 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 4,188 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 71.7% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 890 and 1110 — below the IL middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Eastern Illinois University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Eastern Illinois University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 890 and 1110; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 460 | 510 | 570 |
| SAT Math | 430 | 500 | 540 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Eastern Illinois University received 11,648 applications and admitted 7,892 (67.8%), with 819 enrolling.
How Eastern Illinois University compares
| Eastern Illinois University | Illinois median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 65.3% | 77% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $13,679 | $31,360 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $51,989 | $58,572 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Eastern Illinois University's median earnings are $51,989 — below the Illinois benchmark of $58,572. Weigh that against the $13,679 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Eastern Illinois University prices by residency: $13,679 in-state versus $16,217 out-of-state — a $2,538 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Eastern Illinois University enrolls 4,188 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Eastern Illinois University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
47.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 53% don't — ask a Eastern Illinois University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Eastern Illinois University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $81,362 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $72,220 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,704 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,840 |
| Marketing | $62,994 |
| Political Science and Government | $61,519 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $60,985 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $60,473 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $59,401 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,887 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $54,791 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $54,548 |
| Journalism | $54,038 |
| Biology, General | $53,725 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,078 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,502 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $49,556 |
| Psychology, General | $49,478 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $49,424 |
| Music | $49,236 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $49,209 |
| Sociology | $48,925 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $47,566 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,222 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,190 |
| History | $40,597 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,923 |
Median earnings for these 27 Eastern Illinois University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $51,989 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 29 additional Eastern Illinois University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Eastern Illinois University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 890–1110 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 65.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Eastern Illinois University's acceptance rate?
67.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 7,892 admitted from 11,648 applicants.
How much does Eastern Illinois University cost?
In-state tuition is $13,679; out-of-state students pay $16,217. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Eastern Illinois University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $51,989 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Illinois
- Elmhurst University — 73.6% admitted
- Eureka College — 85% admitted
- DePaul University — 75.9% admitted
- Fox College — 70.2% 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.