Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Prescott, Arizona
98.6% Acceptance Rate
Prescott College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.6%Acceptance Rate
3.19Avg GPA
1193Avg SAT
$47,228Annual Cost
$42,359Grad Salary
47.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.6%
Avg GPA
3.19
Avg SAT
1193
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1153–1223
Need-Based Aid
47.3% receive Pell
Prescott College is a private, innovative liberal arts institution in Arizona known for its experiential, environmental, and social-justice-focused curriculum. Admissions are selective, focusing on a student's ability to engage in deep, self-directed inquiry and collaborative learning. The college seeks students who are ready to challenge traditional academic structures and participate in a vibrant, community-focused, and intellectually active campus.
Prospective students should highlight their capacity for critical thinking, their initiative in self-directed projects, and their ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. Demonstrating a passion for social justice, environmental sustainability, or the arts will help an applicant stand out. The admissions team looks for students who are proactive, curious, and ready to leverage the college's unique academic model to pursue their own intellectual and professional interests in a highly supportive and non-traditional environment.
Prescott College Acceptance Rate
Prescott College (Prescott University) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 98.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 98.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.74
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Prescott College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Prescott College is August 1 for Regular Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 3 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
August 1
Priority
June 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/03 (late March, Spring Endowed Scholarship ? exact date not published)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Prescott University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Prescott University is 3.19. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.89–3.19 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.39–3.59.Prescott University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.79 – 2.98
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.78
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Requires a 2-4 page autobiographical essay on academic experience and educational goals, plus one letter of recommendation.
- Test scores (SAT/ACT) are not required; submission is optional.
- Adult Degree Program (ADP) offers a self-directed track for students with 30+ prior college credits.
- Curriculum is interdisciplinary, experiential, and place-based, centered on social justice and environmental sustainability.
- 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 Prescott University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Prescott College'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.
Prescott College (Prescott University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Prescott University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Prescott University Without SAT or ACT?
Prescott University 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.
Prescott College Average SAT Score: 1193
The average SAT score of admitted students at Prescott College is 1193 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1193 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1223 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Prescott College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1153, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Prescott University. 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 | 1193 | 1153 | 1223 |
Below 1153, you're behind most admitted students; at 1223 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 1200
Can I get into Prescott College (Prescott University) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Prescott University'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 Prescott University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Prescott University is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Make the autobiographical essay the centerpiece
The required 2-4 page autobiographical essay on past academic experience and educational goals is the real evaluative tool here, not a supplement. Write it as a genuine reflection on self-directed learning readiness, since that's core to Prescott's model.
Choose the right recommender for your applicant type
First-time freshmen need a letter from a teacher or counselor; transfer students can use anyone except family or a significant other. Match your recommender to your specific applicant category.
Consider the Adult Degree Program if you have prior credits
Students with 30+ completed college credits can pursue the self-directed ADP track, which requires its own 2-3 page essay on educational goals and ability to thrive without structured classes. Ask about this explicitly if returning to school after time away.
Know test scores are genuinely optional
SAT/ACT scores aren't required for admission - submit them only if they strengthen the application, since GPA, essay, and letters carry the real weight here.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the autobiographical essay like a generic "why I want to attend" statement. Prescott's admissions team is specifically evaluating self-directed learning readiness and alignment with social justice/environmental sustainability values - a generic essay misses what's actually being assessed.
Prescott University Profile
Full Name
Prescott College (Prescott University)
City
Prescott
State
Arizona
ZIP Code
86301
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Prescott University Degree Worth It?
Whether Prescott University 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 $62,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.23%.
How much does a degree from Prescott University Cost?
The sticker price is $47,228/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
47.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.7% take federal loans at Prescott University — file your FAFSA early and list Prescott University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Prescott University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,359 — about 4% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Prescott College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Prescott College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Prescott College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Prescott University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Prescott University Admissions
Median earnings for Prescott College graduates sit around $42,359 a year.
Prescott College costs roughly $47,228 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 47.3% receive a Pell Grant at Prescott College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.6%, Prescott College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Prescott College average a 3.19 GPA.
Prescott College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.89 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.79, Prescott College 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 Prescott College — aim above 1193, ideally within the 1153–1223 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Prescott College is August 1 for Regular Decision applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/03 (late March, Spring Endowed Scholarship ? exact date not published). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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.