Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Conway, Arkansas
53% Acceptance Rate
Hendrix College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
53%Acceptance Rate
3.79Avg GPA
1336Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$52,396Annual Cost
$60,376Grad Salary
23.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53%
Avg GPA
3.79
Avg SAT
1336
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1185–1385
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
23.4% receive Pell
Hendrix College, established in 1876 in Conway, Arkansas, is a nationally recognized liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning through its Odyssey Program.
The 160-acre campus includes the state-of-the-art Student Life and Technology Center, the Hendrix Art Gallery, and the newly constructed Wellness and Athletics Center. The college's 'Engaged Learning' requirement ensures all students complete hands-on projects.
Hendrix College Acceptance Rate
At 53%, admission to Hendrix College is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Hendrix College 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% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.34
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Hendrix College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Hendrix College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Action I
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Hendrix College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action I
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Early Action II
February 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Hendrix College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Hendrix College is 3.79. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.49 and 3.79? 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 3.99–4.19.Hendrix College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.39 – 3.58
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.38
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Odyssey Program requires engaged-learning experience before graduation (e.g., 100 hours Professional/Leadership Development, 30 hours Service to the World, 30 hours Special Projects).
- Essay capped at 650 words; Common App prompts or a self-designed topic both accepted.
- Early Action deadline Nov 15; Regular Decision Feb 1; test-optional with a stated no-advantage policy either way.
- Acceptance rate reported in the mid-50s% range (roughly 53%?56% depending on source); average admitted GPA ~3.77.
- 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 Hendrix College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Hendrix 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.
Hendrix College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Hendrix College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Hendrix College Without SAT or ACT?
Hendrix College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Hendrix College Average SAT Score: 1336
The average SAT score of admitted students at Hendrix College is 1336 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1336 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1385 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Hendrix 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 1185, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Hendrix College. 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 | 635 | 580 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 650 | 605 | 695 |
| SAT Composite | 1336 | 1185 | 1385 |
Below 1185, you're behind most admitted students; at 1385 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 1350
Can I get into Hendrix College with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Hendrix College'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.
Hendrix College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Hendrix College is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 24 | 28 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into Hendrix College with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Hendrix College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Hendrix College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Hendrix College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Hendrix College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Reference a specific Odyssey category
Mention Professional/Leadership Development, Service to the World, Special Projects, or Artistic Creativity by name in your essay or interview - it signals you understand what actually makes Hendrix distinct.
Stay under 650 words and pick an unconventional prompt
Hendrix accepts Common App prompts or a fully original topic - a well-crafted, unusual essay stands out more here than a generic "overcoming adversity" story.
Apply Early Action by Nov 15
EA doesn't bind you to enroll, and it puts you into scholarship consideration earlier at essentially no added risk.
Go test-optional with confidence if scores are weak
Hendrix's own stated policy is that neither path - submitting or withholding scores - produces a real admissions advantage, so choose whichever presents your record better.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes write their Hendrix essay as if for any liberal arts school - readers notice when you haven't engaged with the Odyssey Program specifically, since it's the single most distinguishing feature of a Hendrix education.
Hendrix College Profile
Full Name
Hendrix College
City
Conway
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
72032-3080
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Hendrix College Degree Worth It?
At $52,396/year against a $60,376 median graduate salary, Hendrix College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $63,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.2%.
How much does a degree from Hendrix College Cost?
The sticker price is $52,396/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
23.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.8% take federal loans at Hendrix College. File your FAFSA early and list Hendrix College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Hendrix College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $60,376. That's about 49% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Hendrix College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Hendrix College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 1339 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Hendrix College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
Degree Programs at Hendrix College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Hendrix College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Hendrix College run about $60,376 a year.
At about $52,396 a year, Hendrix College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Hendrix College's Pell Grant rate of 23.4% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 53%, Hendrix College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Hendrix College average a 3.79 GPA.
Hendrix College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.49 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.39, Hendrix 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 Hendrix College — aim above 1336, ideally within the 1185–1385 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Hendrix College is November 15 for Early Action I applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
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.
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