Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Marion Military Institute — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Marion, Alabama 59.2% Acceptance Rate

Marion Military Institute Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Marion, Alabama 36756-3207 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.marionmilitary.edu/

Marion Military Institute — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

59.2%Acceptance Rate
1043Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$18,458Annual Cost
$59,644Grad Salary
43.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
59.2%
Avg SAT
1043
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1240
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Avg Net Price
$10,137
Need-Based Aid
43.4% receive Pell

Marion Military Institute, founded in 1842, is America's oldest military junior college and the only two-year institution with a Corps of Cadets.

The 129-acre campus in Alabama features leadership training facilities, equestrian programs, and preparation programs for service academies. Its military tradition develops character and discipline alongside academic excellence.

Marion Military Institute Acceptance Rate

Marion Military Institute is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Marion Military Institute is 59.2%. This means that 59 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

  • Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
  • Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.

Selectivity at a Glance

Somewhat Selective
Marion Military Institute Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 59.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at Marion Military Institute

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Marion Military Institute's verified institutional data

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Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

Marion Military Institute Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into Marion Military Institute Without SAT or ACT?

Marion Military Institute requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test multiple times to improve their scores.

Marion Military Institute Average SAT Score: 1043

The average SAT score of the admitted students at Marion Military Institute is 1043 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Marion Military Institute SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1043 — Accessible

This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1043 on the SAT.

SAT Math
560
SAT Reading
565
Composite
1043
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Marion Military Institute allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1010, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Marion Military Institute. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for Marion Military Institute
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math560510610
SAT Reading565500630
SAT Composite104310101240

It means that if you have scored less than 1010 then you are below most of the admitted students at Marion Military Institute and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1240 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050

Can I get into Marion Military Institute with a 1250 SAT?

With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Marion Military Institute are good but the admission staff at Marion Military Institute tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Marion Military Institute ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at Marion Military Institute is 20.

ACT Competitiveness

Marion Military Institute ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive

This score makes Marion Military Institute less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 20 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for Marion Military Institute
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math201624
ACT English191523
ACT Composite201723

Can I get into Marion Military Institute with a 23 ACT?

A 23 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Marion Military Institute — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Marion Military Institute use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Marion Military Institute — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Marion Military Institute uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 23 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 20

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Marion Military Institute

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Marion Military Institute is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.

Consistency over Perfection

Prove you can handle a college curriculum by maintaining a steady or upward GPA trend. One or two lower grades won't be a dealbreaker if you've improved since.

Placement Validation

Use the SAT or ACT to exempt yourself from non-credit remedial courses. A solid score here saves you time and tuition money once you enroll.

Practical Leadership

Highlight work experience, family responsibilities, or community service. These schools value 'grit' and real-world maturity.

FAFSA & Deadlines

At schools with higher acceptance rates, the 'win' is financial. Submit your FAFSA and local scholarship apps as early as possible to maximize your aid package.

Next Step: Review the specific 'Pre-Professional' tracks at Marion Military Institute to ensure your high school electives align with your intended major.

Marion Military Institute Profile

Full Name
Marion Military Institute
City
Marion
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
36756-3207
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Is a Marion Military Institute Degree Worth It?

Getting into Marion Military Institute can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Marion Military Institute offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.

Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Marion Military Institute is $56,300 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.58%.

How much does a degree from Marion Military Institute Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Marion Military Institute is $18,458. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Marion Military Institute is $10,137.

43.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 39.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Marion Military Institute and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Marion Military Institute, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Marion Military Institute as your choice in the form.

How much does a Marion Military Institute Graduate earn?

The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $59,644. An average Marion Military Institute graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.

$18,458Annual Cost
$10,137Net Price
43.4%Pell Grant
39.7%Federal Loan
$59,644Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Marion Military Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Faulkner University Montgomery, AL 1016 20
University of West Alabama Livingston, AL 1015 20
Central Baptist College Conway, AR 1022 20
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Morrilton, AR 1020 20
Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR 1018 19
Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO 1014 20
Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO 1005 22
Trinity Baptist College Jacksonville, FL 1007 20
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA 994 19
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, GA 1001 18
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Marion Military Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR 1049 21
Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR 1050 21
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR 1050 20
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR 1050 21
Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT 1044 24
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Marion Military Institute. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL 1090 21
University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 1119 23
Spring Hill College Mobile, AL 1090 22
Troy University Troy, AL 1086 22
Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL 1121 22

Degree Programs at Marion Military Institute

Associate Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by Marion Military Institute →

Frequently Asked Questions About Marion Military Institute Admissions

Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $59,644 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.

The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $18,458 per year, making it more affordable for many students.

43.4% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.

The acceptance rate of Marion Military Institute is 59.2% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.

Admission to Marion Military Institute is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1043 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1010–1240.

Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.

To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.

Last Updated: Sunday May 17, 2026

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Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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