Eastern Illinois University
At Eastern Illinois University, you can become part of a tight-knit community that puts you first.
You won’t feel lost in the crowd like you would in a typical college classroom, a huge lecture hall taught by a graduate student. Instead, you'll be in small classes led by Ph.D. scholars who will know you by name and will guide you throughout your academic journey.
We offer not only an exceptional education but also the academic, financial, and personal support you need to make your dreams a reality. That’s what we mean when we say EIU is all in for you.
Accepts first-year applicationsMidwestPublicRuralMedium (2,001 to 14,999)Co-Ed
Academic programs
- Design
- Engineering
- Research
- Science
- Technology
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Education
- Nursing
- Communication
- Music
- Culinary
- Art & Design
- Economics
- Finance/Accounting
- Government/Political Science
- Health Science
- Performing Arts
- Social Science
- Visual Arts
Student experience
- Athletics
- Co-op/Internship Opportunities
- Disability Services
- Greek Life
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
- Intramural/Club Sports
- LGBTQIA Services
- Military/Veteran Services
- Night Class Offerings
- On-Campus Housing
- ROTC Program
- Study Abroad
- Undergraduate Research
- Veteran Fee Waiver
- Distance/online learning
Application information
First-year
Deadlines:
EIU has a "rolling admissions" policy, meaning we process applications as long as space permits. However, it benefits you to apply to Eastern and send us your transcripts as early as possible. Follow our recommended timeline to make sure you get the most financial aid possible and the best choice of classes and housing.
Fees:
None. You can apply to EIU for free!
Admissions Requirements:
EIU has a "test-optional" policy for first-year students, meaning you are not required to submit your SAT or ACT score to be admitted to the university. See our full admissions requirements.
EIU has a "rolling admissions" policy, meaning we process applications as long as space permits. However, it benefits you to apply to Eastern and send us your transcripts as early as possible. Follow our recommended timeline to make sure you get the most financial aid possible and the best choice of classes and housing.
Fees:
None. You can apply to EIU for free!
Admissions Requirements:
EIU has a "test-optional" policy for first-year students, meaning you are not required to submit your SAT or ACT score to be admitted to the university. See our full admissions requirements.
Transfer
At this time, EIU does not accept transfer applications through the Common App. You can apply for free at eiu.edu/apply.
Deadlines:EIU has a "rolling admissions" policy, meaning we process applications as long as space permits. However, it benefits you to apply to Eastern and send us your transcripts as early as possible. Follow our recommended timeline (for Fall admissions) to make sure you get the most financial aid possible and the best choice of classes and housing.
Admissions Requirements:
Admissions requirements for transfer students vary depending on the amount of college coursework completed and the grades received in that coursework. See our full admissions requirements.
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Additional information
At EIU, we pride ourselves on our affordability, which is why we have the lowest cost of attendance of any university in Illinois – but you'll find we don't skimp on giving you a top-notch education.
Washington Monthly named EIU in the top 10 (of more than 300) in their “Best Bang for the Buck” report for the Midwest, and Business Insiders ranked Charleston as the 2nd most affordable college town in America. You can also see our commitment to affordability in the little things - like how we let students rent their textbooks instead of requiring them to be purchased.
Plus, financial aid is available to most students! Over 75 percent receive some type of financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs.
Our top scholarships include:
Washington Monthly named EIU in the top 10 (of more than 300) in their “Best Bang for the Buck” report for the Midwest, and Business Insiders ranked Charleston as the 2nd most affordable college town in America. You can also see our commitment to affordability in the little things - like how we let students rent their textbooks instead of requiring them to be purchased.
Plus, financial aid is available to most students! Over 75 percent receive some type of financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs.
Our top scholarships include:
- EIU Promise, which can reduce the cost of your remaining tuition and required fees to $0 for qualifying Illinois residents
- Our automatic merit scholarships for first-year and transfer students, worth up to $16,000
- Our full-tuition and full-ride scholarships for Honors students
Visit us
EIU offers a variety of visit opportunities, both in-person and virtual, to meet exactly what you're looking for!
You can sign up for a daily visit on campus most weekdays for a morning or afternoon session, along with Saturday visits on select weekends. Throughout the year, we also offer multiple Open Houses and special events for admitted students, transfer students, Honors students and high school juniors, to name a few.
You can view all our visit opportunities at eiu.edu/visit and our virtual resources, including our virtual tour, at eiu.edu/virtual.
You can sign up for a daily visit on campus most weekdays for a morning or afternoon session, along with Saturday visits on select weekends. Throughout the year, we also offer multiple Open Houses and special events for admitted students, transfer students, Honors students and high school juniors, to name a few.
You can view all our visit opportunities at eiu.edu/visit and our virtual resources, including our virtual tour, at eiu.edu/virtual.
I chose EIU because of its size and the community. Everyone here is so friendly and it made leaving home a very easy transition for me. I felt right at home the moment I stepped on campus.