Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Montevallo, Alabama
53.9% Acceptance Rate
University of Montevallo — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
53.9%Acceptance Rate
3.66Avg GPA
1085Avg SAT
$26,233Annual Cost
$42,957Grad Salary
39%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53.9%
Avg GPA
3.66
Avg SAT
1085
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1045–1115
Avg Net Price
$17,053
Need-Based Aid
39% receive Pell
University of Montevallo, established in 1896 as Alabama's only public liberal arts university, offers distinctive programs in art, education, and business. Known for its beautiful quad and unique College Night tradition.
The 160-acre campus includes the historic King House, the Ebenezer Swamp ecological preserve, and state-of-the-art arts facilities. Montevallo's small classes and faculty mentorship create a personalized learning environment.
University of Montevallo Acceptance Rate
University of Montevallo takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 53.9% each year.
What University of Montevallo Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 53.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.66 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.46 – 3.65
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.21
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Montevallo GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Montevallo is 3.66. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.36 and 3.66? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.86–4.06.University of Montevallo GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.66 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.46 – 3.65
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.26 – 3.45
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.25
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No essay or SAT/ACT required for general admission; average admitted GPA is around 3.6.
- M.A.P.S. scholarship: 12 full-ride awards/year, requires 30 ACT or 1360 SAT plus 3.5 GPA, interview-based, Jan 15 deadline.
- Only public liberal arts university in Alabama; member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC).
- Acceptance rate is consistently reported around 54% - moderately selective despite the "safety school" reputation.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 University of Montevallo
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Montevallo'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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Montevallo Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Montevallo is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Montevallo Without SAT or ACT?
University of Montevallo neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of Montevallo Average SAT Score: 1085
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Montevallo is 1085 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1085 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1115 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of Montevallo allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1045, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Montevallo. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1085 | 1045 | 1115 |
Below 1045, you're behind most admitted students; at 1115 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of Montevallo with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Montevallo's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Montevallo
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Montevallo is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Don't submit weak test scores
Montevallo doesn't factor SAT/ACT into standard admission decisions - a mediocre score can only hurt, never help, so leave it off unless it's genuinely strong.
Target M.A.P.S. by Jan 15 and prep for the interview
This full-ride scholarship (12 awarded/year) needs a 30+ ACT or 1360+ SAT and 3.5+ GPA, but the interview round is the real deciding factor - practice articulating your goals out loud, not just on paper.
Name-drop the specifics in scholarship essays
Reference Montevallo's status as Alabama's only public liberal arts university, its COPLAC membership, or the Olmsted-designed historic campus - specifics beat generic "small college" language every time.
Apply early for scholarship priority, even on rolling admission
General admission is rolling, but merit dollars are awarded first-come - apply well before you need to, not right at a deadline.
Expert Insight:
Students often treat Montevallo as a safety school and submit a bare-minimum application - but merit aid here is genuinely competitive, and a thin file with no scholarship essay effort leaves real money on the table.
University of Montevallo Profile
Full Name
University of Montevallo
City
Montevallo
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35115-6000
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a University of Montevallo Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Montevallo is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $59,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.95%.
How much does a degree from University of Montevallo Cost?
The sticker price is $26,233/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $17,053.
39% of students receive a Pell Grant and 52.1% take federal loans at University of Montevallo — file your FAFSA early and list University of Montevallo as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Montevallo Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,957 — about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Montevallo. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| 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 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Montevallo. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Montevallo. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at University of Montevallo
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Montevallo Admissions
Median earnings for University of Montevallo graduates sit around $42,957 a year.
At about $26,233 a year, University of Montevallo is on the more affordable end.
About 39.0% receive a Pell Grant at University of Montevallo — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 53.9%, University of Montevallo's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Montevallo average a 3.66 GPA.
University of Montevallo doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.36 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.26, University of Montevallo becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Montevallo — aim above 1085, ideally within the 1045–1115 range admitted students typically fall in.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.