Goodwin University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Goodwin University, established in 1999, is a private university in East Hartford, Connecticut. It specializes in career-focused programs like nursing, manufacturing, and social work. The campus features simulation labs and a waterfront location along the Connecticut River.
Though unranked, Goodwin is recognized for its flexible hybrid programs and employer-aligned curricula. Its urban setting offers internships in Hartford's healthcare and insurance sectors.
Goodwin University Acceptance Rate
Goodwin University (Goodwin) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
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.
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 Goodwin
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Goodwin University's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Goodwin University (Goodwin) 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 Goodwin Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Goodwin
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Goodwin provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Goodwin's nursing program doesn't use a fixed minimum score - the admitting cutoff is recalculated each cohort by ranking all applicants from highest to lowest until roughly 64 seats are filled, meaning the "passing" score changes semester to semester based on that cycle's applicant pool. A student close to the likely cutoff should ask an academic advisor about taking additional Goodwin courses before reapplying (which adds points to the score sheet), rather than assuming a borderline score from one cycle will be sufits in the next.
Goodwin only counts a student's first TEAS score submitted within an application cycle - even if a later retake in the same cycle scores higher, only the first submission counts, though a higher score from a previous cycle does carry forward. A student should treat their very first TEAS sitting in a given cycle as the one that matters and prepare accordingly, rather than planning to "take it twice and use the best score" within the same cycle.
Goodwin's ABSN program automatically awards 38 credits for a completed bachelor's degree and only requires 60 additional core nursing credits over 16 months - but it demands a 3.0+ GPA and six specific prerequisites (Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Lifespan Development) completed with a C or C+ minimum beforehand. A career-changer with an unrelated degree should map out these six prerequisites at a lower-cost institution first, since Goodwin's ABSN cohort seats are competitive and prerequisite GPA counts directly in the point system.
Goodwin explicitly reviews unofficial transcripts of prior coursework in under one business day - a genuinely fast turnaround compared to peer institutions - which matters for an adult learner deciding whether prior college credits will count before committing to enroll. A returning adult student should submit unofficial transcripts as an early exploratory step, before formally applying, to get a real sense of time-to-degree.
Because Goodwin markets itself around flexibility and near-open admission at the university level, applicants sometimes assume the competitive, cohort-capped nursing program (with its shifting point cutoffs and single-attempt TEAS rule per cycle) works the same way - then are blindsided when a seemingly solid application misses a cutoff that only became visible after the entire applicant pool for that cycle was ranked.
Goodwin Profile
Is a Goodwin Degree Worth It?
Getting into Goodwin 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. Goodwin 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 Goodwin is $60,500 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.55%.
How much does a degree from Goodwin Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Goodwin University is $39,745. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Goodwin University is much less than this.
48.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 76.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Goodwin and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Goodwin University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Goodwin as your choice in the form.
How much does a Goodwin Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $43,596. An average Goodwin 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.
Degree Programs at Goodwin
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Goodwin University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Goodwin Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $43,596 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $39,745 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
48.4% 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.
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.
