Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Claremont, California
33.9% Acceptance Rate
Scripps College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
33.9%Acceptance Rate
4Avg GPA
1480Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$83,330Annual Cost
$77,539Grad Salary
11.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
33.9%
Avg GPA
4
Avg SAT
1480
Avg ACT
33
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%
1420–1530
ACT Middle 50%
32–34
Need-Based Aid
11.5% receive Pell
Scripps College, founded in 1926, is a top-ranked women's liberal arts college and member of the Claremont Colleges consortium in California. Scripps' interdisciplinary core curriculum emphasizes women's education and feminist perspectives, with strengths in humanities, social sciences, and studio art. The college's 32-acre campus features Mediterranean Revival architecture and the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery.
Scripps' commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its student body and curriculum. As part of the Claremont Colleges, Scripps students enjoy small college intimacy with access to the resources of a larger university. Alumni include Pulitzer Prize winners, artists, and leaders in diverse fields who credit Scripps with fostering their intellectual confidence and feminist values.
Scripps College Acceptance Rate
Scripps College is selective but reasonable. About 33.9% of applicants (34 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Scripps College Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 33.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
4.00 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.80 – 3.99
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.55
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Scripps College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Scripps College is November 15 for Early Decision I / II (binding) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 105 days left — Early Decision I / II (binding)
Early Decision I / II (binding)
November 15
Regular Decision
January 8
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Scripps College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Scripps College is 4. That makes admissions here extremely selective on GPA. Near the top of your class is the expectation, not the exception.. Most admitted students carry mostly A's across the board.
AP or IB courses aligned with your intended major (calculus and physics for engineering, for instance) meaningfully strengthen an application here.
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 4.20–4.40.Scripps College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
4.00 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.80 – 3.99
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.60 – 3.79
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.59
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Scripps no longer publishes a GPA range for admits because of variation in school weighting systems, but roughly 99% of reporting admits ranked in the top decile of their high school class - rigor of curriculum matters more than a raw number.
- Testing is optional, but submitted scores are read seriously: applicants are advised to submit only if they clear approximately 1480 SAT or 33 ACT, since a middling score can hurt a test-optional applicant more than no score at all.
- Scripps offers Early Decision, which provides a meaningful admissions advantage specifically for applicants who can demonstrate Scripps is genuinely their first choice, distinct from the non-binding Early Action structures common at other liberal arts colleges.
- 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 Scripps College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Scripps College's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Scripps College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Scripps College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Scripps College Without SAT or ACT?
Scripps College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Scripps College Average SAT Score: 1480
The average SAT score of admitted students at Scripps College is 1480 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1480 — Very Competitive
A 1480 average puts Scripps College well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1530 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Scripps 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 1420, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Scripps 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 | 735 | 700 | 770 |
| SAT Reading | 740 | 720 | 760 |
| SAT Composite | 1480 | 1420 | 1530 |
Below 1420, you're behind most admitted students; at 1530 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 1500
Can I get into Scripps College with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of Scripps 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.
Scripps College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Scripps College is 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
An average of 33 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 31 | 28 | 33 |
| ACT English | 35 | 34 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 32 | 34 |
Can I get into Scripps College with a 34 ACT?
A 34 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Scripps 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 Scripps College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Scripps College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Scripps College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Demonstrate Genuine Women's-College Intent, Not Settling
Scripps' admissions committee actively screens out applicants who imply they chose Scripps because it seemed "easier" than a co-ed peer - your essays need to show you understand and want the specific dynamic of an all-women/non-binary classroom and community, not that Scripps was a backup plan. Name what changes for you in a space without men dominating class discussion or leadership roles, and why that matters to your intellectual development specifically.
Anchor Your "Why Scripps" in the Core Curriculum by Name
Scripps' signature Core Curriculum is an interdisciplinary humanities sequence every student takes, and admissions readers are specifically trained to reward essays that engage with real questions it raises - ethics in AI-generated art, the politics of language - rather than vague praise for "small classes" or "a beautiful campus." Reference the Core Curriculum by name and connect it to an actual intellectual question you already think about.
Use the Claremont Consortium as Evidence of Fit
Scripps students cross-register seamlessly at Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, and Pitzer, and admissions readers want to see you've researched this ecosystem specifically - naming a Harvey Mudd CS course, a Pomona econ professor, or a Claremont McKenna policy program signals genuine fit research rather than generic "five colleges in one" enthusiasm. This single move differentiates serious applicants from those treating Scripps as one more small-liberal-arts-college application.
Two-Essay Structure Requires Two Distinct Angles
Scripps requires a 100-200 word "why Scripps" response plus a second 150-300 word essay chosen from three prompts - don't let these two essays repeat the same point. Use the short "why Scripps" essay for institutional fit (Core Curriculum, consortium, women's college identity) and save the longer second essay for a more personal, idiosyncratic story that reveals how you think, since admissions readers are evaluating these as two different signals, not a single combined pitch.
Expert Insight: Do not write a generic "why a women's college" essay built on broad statements about empowerment or supportive environments - Scripps' admissions team reads thousands of these and specifically rewards applicants who reference concrete campus details like the Core Curriculum, Tea at Four, or specific consortium courses over abstract statements about gender and education.
Scripps College Profile
Full Name
Scripps College
City
Claremont
State
California
ZIP Code
91711
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 Scripps College Degree Worth It?
At $83,330/year against a $77,539 median graduate salary, Scripps 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 $79,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.32%.
How much does a degree from Scripps College Cost?
The sticker price is $83,330/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
11.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 22.9% take federal loans at Scripps College. File your FAFSA early and list Scripps College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Scripps College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $77,539. That's about 91% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Scripps College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 1433 | 32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 1447 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Scripps College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Smith College | Northampton, MA | 1480 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Scripps College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Scripps College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Scripps College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Scripps College run about $77,539 a year.
At about $83,330 a year, Scripps College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Scripps College's Pell Grant rate of 11.5% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 33.9%, Scripps College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Scripps College average a 4 GPA.
Scripps College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.7 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.6, Scripps 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 Scripps College — aim above 1480, ideally within the 1420–1530 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Scripps College is November 15 for Early Decision I / II (binding) applicants.
The application fee is 60. 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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