Admit rate has ranged 53%–72% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is a public university in Charleston, IL, known for its accessible admissions, strong career outcomes, and tight-knit campus community. With over 300 academic programs and a focus on undergraduate education, EIU offers a practical, small-school experience where students often thrive in specialized fields like engineering technologies and education.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,188
In-state tuition
$13,679
Out-of-state tuition
$16,217
Top Majors
Business (13%), Education (12%)
Acceptance Rate
~65%
4-Year Grad Rate
31%
Student Receiving Aid
93%
Median Salary (6 Years)
$42,694
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,989
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.1×
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
47%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
58%
Pell (lower-income) share
66%
First-generation share
34%
Endowment / student
$17,506
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$70,176
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$50,856
Accounting and Related Services$50,677
Finance and Financial Management Services$46,673
Computer and Information Sciences, General$43,798
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
5
Per 1,000 students
1.19
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
41.8"
Annual snow
14.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
146
Scholarly works
10,117
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.0%
Bottom → top quintile
26%
From bottom quintile
4%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Eastern Illinois University?
Eastern Illinois University's acceptance rate is approximately 65% (Charleston, IL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Eastern Illinois University?
Admitted students at Eastern Illinois University typically score 880–1090 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Eastern Illinois University cost?
At Eastern Illinois University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,786 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Eastern Illinois University?
Eastern Illinois University enrolls approximately 4,188 undergraduate students.
Where is Eastern Illinois University located?
Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL.
Admissions
EIU is a moderately selective public university with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 65%, making it accessible to a broad range of students. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 880-1090 on the SAT or 17-23 on the ACT, with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. While test scores are considered, the university emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process, particularly for applicants who fall just short of standard benchmarks.
EIU offers a robust selection of over 300 academic programs, including 50 undergraduate degrees with 150+ major/minor options and 36 graduate programs. The most popular majors cluster in business (13% of graduates), education (12%), and communications/journalism. Notably, the university has specialized strengths in engineering technologies (695 degrees awarded annually) and parks/recreation programs (115 degrees). While not an elite research institution, EIU prides itself on practical, career-focused education—a point of pride for many alumni, as noted in Quora testimonials.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$41,565
Marketing$40,768
Political Science and Government$39,741
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at EIU revolves around its intimate campus vibe—48% of students live in university housing, while 52% commute. The Student Life Office actively cultivates social and cultural programming, with students praising the approachability of organizations and faculty. Athletics (NCAA Division I) and Greek life add to the traditional college experience, though Reddit threads suggest the social scene is quieter than at larger schools. One student summed it up: 'EIU is a smaller school, so it’s not like a bigger school... but the people make it amazing.'
EIU punches above its weight in career outcomes, with recent data showing it as Illinois' top public university for graduate employment rates per NACE. The 4-year graduation rate is modest (31%), but alumni earn a median salary of $42,694 six years post-graduation—rising to $43,500 after a decade. The university highlights strong employer partnerships, with engineering tech and education graduates particularly well-placed. As one Facebook post boasted: 'EIU leads in student outcomes after graduation.'
EIU delivers solid value, with 93% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The average grant award is $6,050, reducing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $13,380 for many. Key stats:
85% get grant money (avg $6,050)
57% receive institutional grants (avg $2,638)
73% take out loans
Notably, 68% of students benefit from aid packages averaging $17,899—a significant offset to the sticker price.
EIU distinguishes itself through an uncommon combo: the accessibility of a regional public university with career outcomes rivaling more selective schools. Its engineering tech program—producing nearly 700 graduates annually—is a hidden gem, while education majors benefit from strong Illinois teacher placement networks. The small-campus vibe fosters tight professor relationships, and the 65% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. means it’s within reach for B/B+ students seeking a ROI-focused education. As one alum put it: 'It isn’t the most prestigious university... but I couldn’t be prouder.'
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