Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
67.6% Acceptance Rate
John Brown University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
67.6%Acceptance Rate
3.77Avg GPA
1222Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$43,260Annual Cost
$53,907Grad Salary
21.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
67.6%
Avg GPA
3.77
Avg SAT
1222
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1345
ACT Middle 50%
21–30
Need-Based Aid
21.4% receive Pell
John Brown University (JBU), established in 1919 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, is a private Christian university renowned for engineering, business, and graphic design. It ranks among the top regional universities in the South for value and academic quality.
The campus includes engineering labs, a business innovation hub, and an art gallery. JBU's emphasis on hands-on learning and spiritual growth prepares students for impactful careers.
John Brown University Acceptance Rate
John Brown University is moderately selective. 67.6% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What John Brown University 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 — 67.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.32
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
John Brown University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
John Brown University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
John Brown University 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/02/01 (Early Commit Track deadline)) 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.
John Brown University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at John Brown University is 3.77. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.47 and 3.77? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.97–4.17.John Brown University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.77 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.57 – 3.76
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.37 – 3.56
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.36
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Doesn't accept the Common App; uses its own application portal.
- Students aren't required to profess Christian faith, but all students must sign the Community Covenant.
- 21 chapel attendance credits required per semester (15 regular weekday chapels + 6 flexible).
- Test-optional; reported acceptance rate ~53%, SAT 25th?75th 1100?1320, ACT 22?29.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 John Brown University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from John Brown University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
John Brown University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at John Brown University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into John Brown University Without SAT or ACT?
John Brown University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
John Brown University Average SAT Score: 1222
Admitted students at John Brown University average a 1222 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1222 — Slightly Competitive
A 1222 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1345 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? John Brown University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1130? A retake is worth it at John Brown University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 540 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 633 | 590 | 675 |
| SAT Composite | 1222 | 1130 | 1345 |
A score under 1130 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1345+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into John Brown University with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in John Brown University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
John Brown University ACT Requirements
John Brown University's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 21 | 30 |
Can I get into John Brown University with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of John Brown University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, John Brown University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for John Brown University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
John Brown University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply via JBU's own application - it doesn't take the Common App
Don't wait to repurpose a Common App essay; JBU uses its own portal, so plan your essay and materials specifically for that application rather than assuming compatibility.
Understand the Community Covenant before you commit, not after
Students aren't required to profess Christian faith to attend, but all students sign and agree to follow JBU's Community Covenant (a lifestyle/conduct agreement) - read it in full during your application process so there are no surprises about campus expectations.
Plan for chapel attendance as a real academic-year commitment
JBU requires 21 chapel credits per semester (at least 15 "regular" weekday chapels, plus 6 from any combination of regular or additional events) - factor this into your course/activity schedule expectations before enrolling, not after.
Submit test scores if strong, since JBU is test-optional but not test-blind
With SAT 25th?75th at 1100?1320 and ACT at 22?29, a score at or above the median can differentiate your file in a test-optional pool where most other applicants are skipping scores.
Expert Insight:
International or out-of-state applicants sometimes assume "Christian university" implies a religious test for admission - it doesn't for enrollment, but the Community Covenant is a binding conduct agreement all students sign, and treating it as a formality rather than reading it fully is a common mistake.
John Brown University Profile
Full Name
John Brown University
City
Siloam Springs
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
72761
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a John Brown University Degree Worth It?
Whether John Brown 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $56,900, and graduates see a 2.92% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from John Brown University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $43,260/year at John Brown University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At John Brown University, 21.4% receive a Pell Grant and 36.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming John Brown University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a John Brown University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, John Brown University graduates report a median income of $53,907, about 33% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than John Brown University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as John Brown University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than John Brown University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at John Brown University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About John Brown University Admissions
John Brown University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $53,907/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at John Brown University is moderate, around $43,260/year; many students supplement with aid.
21.4% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. John Brown University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
John Brown University's acceptance rate is 67.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted John Brown University students is 3.77, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.47 puts you in the standard applicant pool at John Brown University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.37 or below makes admission tougher at John Brown University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
John Brown University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1222, and within the 1130–1345 range, keeps you competitive.
John Brown University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
John Brown University charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2026/02/01 (Early Commit Track deadline). That's John Brown University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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