Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Fullerton, California
35.4% Acceptance Rate
Hope International University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
35.4%Acceptance Rate
3.26Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
$51,153Annual Cost
$49,697Grad Salary
42.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
35.4%
Avg GPA
3.26
Avg SAT
1090
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1120
Need-Based Aid
42.9% receive Pell
Hope International University is a private, faith-based institution in California that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to prepare students for impactful professional and ministerial roles. With its commitment to Christian values, academic excellence, and global service, the university provides a supportive, community-focused environment. Its programs are structured to integrate professional preparation with a strong sense of purpose, making it a high-value choice for students seeking to lead and serve in diverse fields.
Hope International University Acceptance Rate
Hope International University is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of Hope International University is 35.4%. This means that 35 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
- Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 35.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.81
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Hope International University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Hope International University is 3.26. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.46-3.66 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.96 and 3.26, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Hope International University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Hope International University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.26, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.86 – 3.05
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.85
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate approximately 35?40% (Sallie 35%, AcceptanceRate.com 37%); $50 application fee; test-optional (SAT mid-50% 910?1070, ACT mid-50% 16?23); August 20 fall deadline; ~500-word Statement of Purpose essay required (three prompts); weekly chapel attendance mandatory.
- Churches of Christ (non-institutional) affiliation - Restoration Movement tradition; Pacific Christian College of Ministry and Biblical Studies housed within HIU; faculty from varied faith backgrounds; students of any faith admitted.
- CCCU member: GlobalEd access to Oxford (SCIO), Jerusalem (MESP), Israel (NETS, Biblical Studies/Church Ministry majors), LA Film Studies, and other international programs; up to 18 units of credit per program; service learning and internship integration.
- ~1,025 students; 13:1 student-faculty ratio; Fullerton, CA (North Orange County); Metrolink service to LA Union Station (~45 min); six-year graduation rate approximately 36% (BigFuture); graduate programs in MFT, counseling, education, ministry, and MBA; WASC-Senior accredited (WSCUC).
- The Rigor Metric: At Hope International University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Hope International University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Hope International 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.
Hope International University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Hope International University Without SAT or ACT?
Hope International University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Hope International University Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Hope International University is 1090 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1090 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Hope International University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Hope International University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1050 | 1120 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1050 then you are below most of the admitted students at Hope International University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1120 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Hope International University with a 1100 SAT?
With a 1100 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Hope International University are good but the admission staff at Hope International University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Hope International University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Hope International University, admissions officers seek reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to be a top-tier applicant to trigger both admission and high-value merit aid.
Write All Three Essay Prompts Seriously - They Are Required, Not Optional
HIU's undergraduate application requires a ~500-word Statement of Purpose essay addressing three prompts in one response: (1) experiences that have shaped your personal journey and influenced your faith, academic, and career goals; (2) how your goals and background fit HIU's servant leadership mission; (3) what factors matter most to you in choosing a college and why. This is not a supplemental - it is a required component of the application. Students who submit a vague or generic faith narrative on prompt one, skip the servant leadership connection on prompt two, or treat prompt three as an afterthought consistently produce weaker applications than the institution expects. Write all three with the same specificity you would bring to a Common App personal statement. The 500-word limit is a constraint that requires prioritization, not padding.
Position Yourself Within the Churches of Christ Tradition Specifically
HIU is affiliated with non-institutional Churches of Christ - the same Restoration Movement tradition as Johnson University (Tennessee) and Florida College (Temple Terrace) in this dataset. Weekly chapel attendance is mandatory for all students. The Pacific Christian College of Ministry and Biblical Studies is housed within HIU and prepares students for ministry, pastoral work, and biblical studies alongside the institution's education, business, psychology, and counseling programs. Students who share or are genuinely engaged with this tradition will find the campus culture coherent and the chapel community meaningful. Students who are broadly Christian but unfamiliar with the Churches of Christ tradition should research its specific emphases - a cappella worship, congregational independence, Restoration Movement theology - before applying, since the community's identity is more specific than "non-denominational Christian."
Use the CCCU GlobalEd Programs as a Concrete Study Abroad Asset
HIU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), which provides access to the GlobalEd off-campus study program network - programs in Oxford (Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford/SCIO), Jerusalem (Middle East Studies at Jerusalem University College), Israel (NETS program for Biblical Studies and Church Ministry majors), Los Angeles (film, journalism, public policy), and additional international sites. These programs offer up to 18 units of credit in service learning, internship, and academic formats alongside students from other CCCU institutions. Students interested in international ministry, biblical studies, journalism, or public policy should identify which GlobalEd programs align with their major and reference them specifically in their application essay's discussion of goals.
Use the Orange County and LA Proximity Strategically
HIU's campus sits in Fullerton, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, with Metrolink service directly from Fullerton to LA Union Station. For students in counseling, psychology, business, education, and ministry, the LA metro's infrastructure - one of the largest healthcare, entertainment, nonprofit, and faith-organization ecosystems in the country - is a practical internship and practicum resource. Orange County itself hosts major employers in healthcare, technology, and Christian nonprofit organizations. Students who proactively build internship experience in the LA/OC market during their HIU years consistently report stronger post-graduation placement than those who treat the campus as geographically insular.
Expert Insight:
HIU's six-year graduation rate of approximately 36% (BigFuture) places it in the bottom third of four-year institutions nationally by completion. The acceptance rate (35?40%) combined with a low graduation rate suggests significant attrition between admission and completion - a dynamic that warrants a direct conversation with admissions about what academic support looks like, which majors have the strongest completion rates, and what the most common departure points are. CollegeSimply rates the institution in the bottom 31% of four-year colleges nationally by its metrics. These figures don't invalidate the institution's mission or community, but they require honest disclosure before a student commits to four years of enrollment.
Hope International University Profile
Full Name
Hope International University
City
Fullerton
State
California
ZIP Code
92831-3199
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 Hope International University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Hope International University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Hope International University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Hope International University is $71,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.8%.
How much does a degree from Hope International University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Hope International University is $51,153. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Hope International University is much less than this.
42.9% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 60.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Hope International University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Hope International University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Hope International University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Hope International University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $49,697. An average Hope International University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Hope International University. 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 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Hope International University. 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 Hope International University. 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 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Hope International University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Hope International University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Hope International University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $49,697 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $51,153 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
42.9% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Hope International University is 35.4% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.26. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.96, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.96, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.86 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.26, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Hope International University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1090 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1050–1120.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.