Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
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 school 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. To find out more about what Eastern Illinois University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
6,785
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
48%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Read on to find out some important data about admission policy and requirements at Eastern Illinois University.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,194 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants 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% of the students between 600 and 799, and 0.19% between 400 and 599. The percent of freshmen 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
The cutoff date for submitting applications to this school is August 12.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Eastern Illinois University was 71.32% in 2025, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 48%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Having 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 institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 8. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 6,785, 107 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 451 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
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 62 Asian students and 770 Afro-American students in 2025. 429 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 126 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who identified 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
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Eastern Illinois University? Here is what you need to know.
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. If you are an international student at Eastern Illinois University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $12,688. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,529.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $10,151 | $3,529 | $13,680 |
| In-State | $10,151 | $3,529 | $13,680 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $150.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Eastern Illinois University was $11,862 per academic year. 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
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Eastern Illinois University.
The most recent records show that 605 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $17,329.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
2,174 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Eastern Illinois University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,577. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $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
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,988 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 591 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $12,981,437 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $323,505. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. $1,419,330 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Eastern Illinois University was 14:1. That means that there were 14 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 527 teachers at this school. This number included 250 male and 277 female faculty members. 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 information about students' life at Eastern Illinois University.
Its campus is 320 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 114 open-membership organizations at Eastern Illinois University. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 5 percent of male and 5 of female students participate in different organizations at Eastern Illinois University. The student organization that attracts the greatest 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. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Eastern Illinois University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Eastern Illinois University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. There is a medical 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 a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
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
-
Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL.
-
Eastern Illinois University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for Eastern Illinois University is 65%.
-
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.