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Charleston , IL
Eastern Illinois University is a public university located in Charleston, Illinois. Established in 1895, the university has a rich history and is known for its commitment to providing a high-quality education and personal attention to students. EIU offers over 50 undergraduate programs, 30 graduate programs, and numerous online courses and degrees.
At Eastern Illinois University, students are exposed to a supportive and inclusive campus community where they can thrive academically and personally. The university is dedicated to student success and offers a variety of resources and services such as tutoring, career counseling, and internship opportunities. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from individualized attention and mentoring from knowledgeable faculty members who are committed to their success.
In addition to academics, EIU offers a vibrant campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities and organizations for students to explore their interests and develop leadership skills. The university hosts numerous events, including concerts, theatrical performances, athletics competitions, and guest lectures. EIU's beautiful campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, a library, and recreation facilities.
Overall, Eastern Illinois University provides an enriching and supportive environment for students to grow academically and personally. With its strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and engaging campus life, EIU offers students a well-rounded college experience that prepares them for successful careers and lifelong learning.
Eastern Illinois University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Charleston, IL. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 65%. The freshman retention rate at Eastern Illinois University is 71.32% and the six-year graduation rate is 48%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 12. Read more about what Eastern Illinois University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
6,785
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
48%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most important data you should know about admission at Eastern Illinois University.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,194 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 66% and ACT scores 68%. 0.97% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 13.65% between 1,200 and 1,399, 40.94% between 1,000 and 1,199, 38.01% of the students between 800 and 999, 6.24% between 600 and 799, and 0.19% of the students between 400 and 599. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 2.64, 19.25 between 24-29, 43.96 in the range between 18-23, 33.58 between 12-17, and 0.57 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.36. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Eastern Illinois University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 12.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Eastern Illinois University was 71.32%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 48%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 8,505 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 8. There was a total of 6,785 undergraduate students, including 107 international students. 451 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,979 male and 2,613 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 62 Asian students and 770 Afro-American students in 2025. 429 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 126 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 8 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 275 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Eastern Illinois University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $10,151, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $10,151. Tuition costs at Eastern Illinois University for international students amounted to $12,688. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $3,500 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,151 | $3,500 | $13,651 |
| In-State | $10,151 | $3,500 | $13,651 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $150 for books and supplies during their time at Eastern Illinois University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
At Eastern Illinois University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,862. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,810.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,151 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,862 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 150 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,163 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for most students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Eastern Illinois University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 605 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $17,329.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 2,174 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Eastern Illinois University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 2,577. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $12,981,437, and state $12,846,135. The students of Eastern Illinois University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $5,634,144, and external in the amount of $3,836,760.
$3,573
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,988 students overall (including freshmen) at Eastern Illinois University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 591 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $12,981,437 while the state aid is $323,505. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,492,051. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,419,330 USD.
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Eastern Illinois University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 527. Out of that number, there were 250 men and 277 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Eastern Illinois University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Eastern Illinois University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at Eastern Illinois University.
Its campus spans 320 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 114 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 5% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 5 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Civil Engagement and Volunteerism, followed by University Board and Intramural Sports. Other popular organizations at Eastern Illinois University are Registered Student Organizations and Greek Lettered Organizations.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Eastern Illinois University band or chorus. If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Eastern Illinois University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Eastern Illinois University provides a number of services necessary for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Eastern Illinois University.
All in all, campus life at Eastern Illinois University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Eastern Illinois University.
Career Counselling
At Eastern Illinois University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 45,859 USD.
$45,859
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL.
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Eastern Illinois University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Eastern Illinois University is 65%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Eastern Illinois University is 71.32%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
