Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Azusa, California
79.5% Acceptance Rate
Azusa Pacific University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.5%Acceptance Rate
3.74Avg GPA
1155Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$54,735Annual Cost
$66,677Grad Salary
34.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.5%
Avg GPA
3.74
Avg SAT
1155
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
994–1314
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Need-Based Aid
34.7% receive Pell
Azusa Pacific University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution in California known for its commitment to academic excellence, faith integration, and service. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a supportive campus community that encourages both intellectual and spiritual growth. Its focus on preparing students for leadership in their professional and community lives makes it a meaningful and high-value path for those seeking a values-centered education.
Azusa Pacific University Acceptance Rate
Azusa Pacific University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 79.5% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 79.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.74 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.29
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Azusa Pacific University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Azusa Pacific University is September 15 for International Priority, out-of-country (Spring) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 36 days left — International Priority, out-of-country (Spring)
International Priority, out-of-country (Spring)
September 15
Regular Decision Priority (Spring; also Intl in-country priority)
October 15
Nursing Freshman Deadline (Fall)
November 15
Regular Decision Final (Spring; also Intl in-country final)
December 1
Early Action, international freshmen (Fall)
December 3
International Priority (Fall)
February 15
Regular Decision Priority (Fall, domestic)
March 1
International Final, out-of-country (Fall)
May 1
Regular Decision Final (Fall, freshmen; also Intl in-country final)
June 1
Transfer Final (Fall)
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (In-state: 2026/03/01; Out-of-state: 2026/03/01 (priority consideration for aid)) 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.
Azusa Pacific University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Azusa Pacific University is 3.74. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.44 and 3.74? 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 3.94–4.14.Azusa Pacific University 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
3.74 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.34 – 3.53
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.33
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General admission uses holistic review (GPA, a personal statement explicitly framed around faith and character, leadership, extracurriculars); standardized test scores are optional and supplement rather than gate admission.
- BSN applicants undergo two-stage review (general APU admission, then School of Nursing Committee) with a November 15 freshman deadline and decisions by March 1; the traditional BSN uses a cohort model where each semester's coursework is prerequisite for the next.
- APU's School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and California BRN-approved, and is the third-largest producer of nurses in the state of California; the school received over $4.3 million in HRSA grants for nursing student loan forgiveness support.
- Regular Decision priority deadline for fall freshman applicants is March 1 for full admission and financial aid consideration; School of the Arts majors require a separate supplemental application beyond general admission.
- 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 Azusa Pacific University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Azusa Pacific University'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.
Azusa Pacific University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Azusa Pacific University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Azusa Pacific University Without SAT or ACT?
Azusa Pacific University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Azusa Pacific University Average SAT Score: 1155
The average SAT score of admitted students at Azusa Pacific University is 1155 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1155 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1314 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Azusa Pacific University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 994, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Azusa Pacific 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 | 570 | 482 | 657 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 512 | 657 |
| SAT Composite | 1155 | 994 | 1314 |
Below 994, you're behind most admitted students; at 1314 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 1150
Can I get into Azusa Pacific University with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Azusa Pacific 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.
Azusa Pacific University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Azusa Pacific University is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into Azusa Pacific University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Azusa Pacific University'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 Azusa Pacific University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Azusa Pacific University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Azusa Pacific University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Treat BSN admission as two separate reviews, not one
BSN applicants are first reviewed for general APU admission, then separately by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee, with its own November 15 freshman deadline and decisions issued by March 1. Submitting complete nursing-specific materials well ahead of Nov 15 matters - a late or incomplete nursing submission can result in general APU admission without a seat in the nursing program.
Write the personal statement as a faith narrative, not just an achievements list
APU explicitly frames its personal statement as an opportunity to discuss "your journey of faith" and how you'd contribute to the APU community - this isn't incidental language. Applicants should address this directly rather than submitting a generic academic/extracurricular personal statement built for secular schools.
Line up all 48 prerequisite units before applying to BSN Transfer or LVN-to-BSN
These tracks require 48 college-level semester units of transferable nursing prerequisites completed before the requested admission semester, plus two professional recommendations and a one-page statement of professional goals in nursing - additional, distinct requirements layered on top of standard transfer admission (2.2 GPA minimum) that catch students who assume general transfer rules apply.
Check whether your community college has an academic agreement with APU before enrolling in an ADN program
ADN graduates from partner community colleges (e.g., Mt. San Antonio College, Mt. San Jacinto College) receive an automatic 10% tuition scholarship when they enroll in APU's RN to BSN program - a discount unavailable to ADN graduates of non-partner schools. This makes the choice of community college a real financial decision for students already planning to pursue a BSN at APU later.
Expert Insight:
APU's "holistic, faith-integrated" application language and high headline acceptance rate (roughly 88?94%) can make general admission feel like a formality, but the School of Nursing operates as a genuinely separate, more selective gate with its own GPA thresholds, deadlines, and committee review. Students focused on nursing who treat the general application as the entire process risk submitting nursing-specific materials late or incomplete.
Azusa Pacific University Profile
Full Name
Azusa Pacific University
City
Azusa
State
California
ZIP Code
91702-7000
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Azusa Pacific University Degree Worth It?
At $54,735/year against a $66,677 median graduate salary, Azusa Pacific University 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 $74,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.83%.
How much does a degree from Azusa Pacific University Cost?
The sticker price is $54,735/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
34.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 46.5% take federal loans at Azusa Pacific University. File your FAFSA early and list Azusa Pacific University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Azusa Pacific University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $66,677. That's about 64% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Azusa Pacific University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Azusa Pacific University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Azusa Pacific University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Azusa Pacific University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Azusa Pacific University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Azusa Pacific University run about $66,677 a year.
At about $54,735 a year, Azusa Pacific University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 34.7% receive a Pell Grant at Azusa Pacific University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 79.5%, Azusa Pacific University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Azusa Pacific University average a 3.74 GPA.
Azusa Pacific University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.44 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.34, Azusa Pacific University 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 Azusa Pacific University — aim above 1155, ideally within the 994–1314 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Azusa Pacific University is September 15 for International Priority, out-of-country (Spring) applicants.
The application fee is 45. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is In-state: 2026/03/01; Out-of-state: 2026/03/01 (priority consideration for aid). 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.
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