Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Santa Barbara, California
79.9% Acceptance Rate
Westmont College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.9%Acceptance Rate
3.59Avg GPA
1367Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$68,826Annual Cost
$64,778Grad Salary
18.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.9%
Avg GPA
3.59
Avg SAT
1367
Avg ACT
32
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%
1212–1418
ACT Middle 50%
30–34
Need-Based Aid
18.6% receive Pell
Westmont College is a private, selective, Christian liberal arts institution in California known for its commitment to academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and character development. With a strong focus on the liberal arts and a supportive campus community, the college fosters an environment that encourages intellectual and personal growth. Its emphasis on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a premier choice for students seeking a formative and values-based collegiate experience.
Westmont College Acceptance Rate
Westmont College runs an open-access admission policy. With a 79.9% 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 — 79.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.59 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.14
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Westmont College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Westmont 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 October 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 73 days left — Early Action I
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Westmont 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
October 15
Early Action II
November 1
Decision by: December 25
Regular Priority Decision
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Westmont College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Westmont College is 3.59. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.29 and 3.59? 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 3.79–3.99.Westmont College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.59 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.19 – 3.38
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.18
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee or personal essay required for first-year admission; test-optional with one academic recommendation required; non-binding deadlines are Early Action I (Oct 15), Early Action II (Nov 1), and Regular Priority Decision (Jan 15).
- Westmont guarantees admission to students meeting specified academic standards from select partner secondary schools sharing its academic and faith mission.
- An official admissions campus visit qualifies a student for $1,000 in additional aid.
- Academic merit scholarships use a GPA/test-score chart where a higher test score can offset a lower GPA (and vice versa); students who don't submit scores remain eligible for all scholarship tiers based on GPA alone.
- 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 Westmont College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Westmont 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.
Westmont College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Westmont College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Westmont College Without SAT or ACT?
Westmont College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Westmont College Average SAT Score: 1367
The average SAT score of admitted students at Westmont College is 1367 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1367 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1418 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Westmont 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 1212, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Westmont 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 | 644 | 590 | 698 |
| SAT Reading | 671 | 622 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1367 | 1212 | 1418 |
Below 1212, you're behind most admitted students; at 1418 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 Westmont College with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Westmont 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.
Westmont College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Westmont College is 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
An average of 32 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 32 |
| ACT English | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 30 | 34 |
Can I get into Westmont College with a 34 ACT?
A 34 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Westmont 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 Westmont College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Westmont College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Westmont College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Check if your high school is a guaranteed-admission partner
Westmont guarantees admission to students meeting specified academic standards from select partner secondary schools that share its academic-rigor and Christian-faith mission. Confirm this status directly with your counselor, since it can meaningfully simplify and de-risk the application process.
Visit campus officially to claim $1,000 in additional aid
This is a real, concrete financial incentive tied specifically to an official admissions visit - not just any campus tour. Schedule it deliberately as a financial step alongside a fit-finding one.
Submit test scores strategically based on your GPA/score combination
Academic merit scholarships use a GPA/test-score chart where a higher test score can offset a lower GPA and vice versa; students who don't submit scores remain eligible for all scholarship tiers based on GPA alone. A student with strong test scores relative to their GPA should submit them specifically to check if it raises their scholarship tier.
Engage genuinely with the Community Life Statement, not just the Statement of Faith
The Community Life Statement lays out specific behavioral commitments (prohibitions on drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, dishonesty) distinct from the doctrinal Statement of Faith. Read both documents and be prepared to speak concretely to them - readers can distinguish genuine engagement from generic "I'm a Christian" language.
Expert Insight:
Student reviews note Westmont's campus culture leans conservative-Christian, with some students expressing concerns about diversity and inclusivity, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues. A prospective student should weigh this campus-culture context directly against the Community Life Statement's specific commitments before applying, rather than assuming "Christian liberal arts college" alone conveys the full campus climate.
Westmont College Profile
Full Name
Westmont College
City
Santa Barbara
State
California
ZIP Code
93108-1089
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 Westmont College Degree Worth It?
Westmont College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $78,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.31%.
How much does a degree from Westmont College Cost?
The sticker price is $68,826/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
18.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 50% take federal loans at Westmont College. File your FAFSA early and list Westmont College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Westmont College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $64,778. That's about 60% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Westmont 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 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Westmont College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Emerson College | Boston, MA | 1359 | 32 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 1359 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Westmont College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
Degree Programs at Westmont College
Bachelor Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Westmont College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Westmont College run about $64,778 a year.
At about $68,826 a year, Westmont College's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Westmont College's Pell Grant rate of 18.6% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 79.9%, Westmont College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Westmont College average a 3.59 GPA.
Westmont College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.29 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.19, Westmont 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 Westmont College — aim above 1367, ideally within the 1212–1418 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Westmont College is October 15 for Early Action I applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
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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