Direct Admissions
ADMISSION WITHOUT THE WAIT
You're already qualified.
Come be a Cougar.
Get admitted on the strength of your GPA - as a freshman, a transfer, or a City Colleges of Chicago graduate. No essay to be considered, no application fee.

Chicago State University offers Direct Admission for freshmen and transfer students and Guaranteed Admission for eligible City Colleges of Chicago graduates. If you meet the academic requirements below, you can receive an admission offer before completing a traditional application process.

Freshman Direct Admission

  • 2.5 unweighted GPA (4.0 scale)
  • Graduate high school before enrollment
  • No application fee or essay
  • RISE Academy may cover tuition, fees, and books

Apply as a Freshman

Transfer Direct Admission

  • Enrolled at an Illinois community college
  • 30 transferable credit hours completed
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
  • earned credits apply toward your degree

Apply as a Transfer

Guaranteed Admission

  • City Colleges AA or AS degree
  • 2.5 GPA+ junior standing (60 hrs)
  • Access to 20+ bachelor's programs
  • Waived application fee
  • Honors College eligibility

Appy for Guaranteed Admission

 

Not sure which pathway fits? Students who do not meet the direct or guarenteed criteria can still apply through general admissin, where applications receive a holistic review.

 

Close-up photo of a student smiling and making a peace sign with her hand inside a classroom. She's wearing a green Chicago State University t-shirt, and dark-brown rimmed glasses.

Your first year, covered

RISE Academy is a full tuition-and-fees scholarship for incoming freshmen and transfer students entering with fewer than 24 credit hours. It pairs the scholarship with academic and personal support to set you up for a strong first year.

What RISE covers:

  • Full tuition & fees after your financial aid and grants
  • Textbook vouchers and a 4-year laptop loan
  • Dedicated RISE advisors, workshops, and resources
  • 5-week summer readiness program
  • $6,000 sophomore-year scholarship
  • A free summer class between your freshman and sophomore year

Learn more about RISE Academy

 

City Colleges graduates receive guaranteed admission

Complete an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree at City Collges of Chicago and enroll in one of more than 20 CSU bachelor's programs with admission guaranteed. AAS graduates receive guaranteed admission to CSU's early Childhood and Supply Chain management programs.


Program benefits

  • Early academic advising
  • Honors College participation
  • Waived application fee
  • Scholarship & financial aid consideration
  • Chicago Star: $1,000/year for 2 years

Requirements:

  • 2.5 GPA and junior standing (60 credit hours)
  • Completed AA or AS degree
  • Participation form submitted one term before enrollment

 

Learn more

An education that pays off

$0
To apply
No application fee for eligible freshman or transfer direct-admission students.

$11M+

Scholarships
Awarded in scholarships and fellowships each year.

Low

Tuition & fees
Among the lowest tuition and fees rates of any public university in Illinois.

#1

In Chicago
Most affordable public universtiy in Chicago, according to IBHE comparisons.

 

Awarded a full map and Pell? Your tuition and fees are coverd through your aid - unless you live on campus.