How to get into Chicago State University
How to get into Chicago State: the South Side public university with a strong College of Pharmacy and a friendly admit path for Chicago-area applicants
43.3%
Acceptance rate
$12,754
In-state cost
What makes Chicago State University admissions different
Chicago State University is a public university (~1,400 undergrads) on Chicago's South Side, the only predominantly-Black four-year public university in Illinois. CSU is best known for its College of Pharmacy (a PharmD program with strong outcomes), its College of Education, its Criminal Justice program, and a Nursing (BSN) pipeline. CSU is a separate application (not Common App), test-optional, fee-free, and runs rolling admission.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply via the CSU online application. The fee is waived. Submit your high school transcript and (optionally) test scores.
- 2.
Aim for a 2.0+ unweighted GPA in college-prep coursework — CSU's published academic floor is friendly for Chicago-area applicants.
- 3.
If applying to the College of Pharmacy (PharmD), plan around the separate professional-school application and the substantially higher progression bar.
- 4.
File the FAFSA. CSU's net price after Pell, MAP (Illinois state aid), and institutional aid is competitive with city colleges for in-state students.
- 5.
If you are a Chicago Public Schools graduate, leverage the school's CPS partnership programs in the application — CSU explicitly prioritizes CPS graduates for institutional aid.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating CSU as identical to UIC or Northeastern Illinois. The three are distinct public universities in Chicago with different missions and admit profiles.
- ✕
Skipping the MAP application. The Illinois state aid grant is one of the largest single aid sources for in-state students and requires the FAFSA.
The specifics for Chicago State University
Application deadlines
- RollingRolling
What makes this admissions process distinctive
College of Pharmacy (PharmD) ↗
One of two PharmD programs at HBCUs in the country; structured pathway for Chicago-area students from undergraduate sciences into pharmacy professional school.
Only predominantly-Black four-year public in Illinois
CSU is the only predominantly-Black four-year public university in Illinois, with a mission explicitly oriented toward serving Chicago's South Side.
CPS partnership programs
Structured partnerships with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for direct admission and aid pathways; CPS graduates are explicitly prioritized for institutional aid.
Notable scholarships at Chicago State University
Illinois MAP Grant
Illinois residents who file FAFSA with qualifying family income.
Chicago State Scholars Program
Awarded to admits based on academic profile through the standard application.
What graduates actually do
Chicago State, a public predominantly Black-serving university on Chicago's South Side, has been a major producer of Black Chicago teachers, social workers, nurses, and pharmacists. The College of Pharmacy was one of the few in the country owned by a predominantly Black-serving public university, and CSU alumni populate CPS, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and South Side civic organizations.
Notable alumni
- Sister Souljah — Author and activist (briefly attended)
- Karen Lewis — Former Chicago Teachers Union president
- Hannibal Buress — Comedian (briefly attended)
Transfer pathway
Chicago State participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative and has extensive articulation with the seven City Colleges of Chicago. Students completing the AA or AS at a participating Illinois community college can transfer with general-education requirements satisfied. CSU also has the LINK pathway with City Colleges for specific majors.
Articulation partners
City Colleges of Chicago (Olive-Harvey, Kennedy-King, Daley, Truman, Malcolm X, Wright, Harold Washington) · South Suburban College · Prairie State College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
CSU is one of the friendliest four-year public admits in Illinois and the net price for Pell-eligible CPS graduates is often near zero. The school's mission includes serving Chicago's South Side; applicants from that footprint are explicitly prioritized.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.