Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Jacksonville, Florida
84.8% Acceptance Rate
Edward Waters University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.8%Acceptance Rate
2.64Avg GPA
905Avg SAT
$26,973Annual Cost
$34,782Grad Salary
75.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.8%
Avg GPA
2.64
Avg SAT
905
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
865–935
Need-Based Aid
75.6% receive Pell
Edward Waters University is a private, historically Black university (HBCU) in Florida with a commitment to academic excellence, student success, and social responsibility. Providing a supportive and values-driven environment, the institution empowers students to achieve their educational goals and become leaders in their chosen fields.
Edward Waters University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Edward Waters University is inclusive by design: 84.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.44 – 2.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Edward Waters University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Edward Waters University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Edward Waters University 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Edward Waters University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Edward Waters University is 2.64. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 2.84–3.04.Check Your Admission Chances at Edward Waters University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Edward Waters University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Edward Waters University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Edward Waters University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Edward Waters University Without SAT or ACT?
Edward Waters University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Edward Waters University Average SAT Score: 905
Admitted students at Edward Waters University average a 905 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 905 — Accessible
A 905 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (935 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Edward Waters University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 865? A retake is worth it at Edward Waters University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 905 | 865 | 935 |
A score under 865 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 935+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 900
Can I get into Edward Waters University with a 950 SAT?
At 950, your SAT is squarely in Edward Waters University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Edward Waters University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Edward Waters University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Hit the exact regular-admission thresholds - 2.5 GPA and ACT 14/SAT 800 - or plan for the summer bridge instead
Edward Waters draws a hard, published line: a 2.5+ GPA with at least a 14 ACT/800 SAT gets regular admission consideration, while a 2.0-2.49 GPA with lower scores routes a student into Provisional admission through the Charles H. Pearce Institute, a summer-term bridge program named for the AME minister who founded the university in 1866. A counselor should tell borderline students exactly which bucket they're likely to land in and frame the Pearce Institute as a genuine on-ramp, not a rejection - it's specifically built to prepare underperforming first-time and transfer students for fall enrollment.
Use the Criminal Justice program's on-campus police substation as a genuine differentiator for that major
Edward Waters houses a Criminal Justice Education Facility and Police Substation with actual Jacksonville Sheriff's Office personnel on campus - a structural feature that lets criminal justice majors network directly with working law enforcement professionals rather than relying solely on classroom instruction. A student interested in this major should name this facility specifically in application materials or interviews to signal they've researched the program beyond its catalog description.
Know the nursing bridge track's transfer-specific bar before assuming general admission covers it
Transfer students aiming for Edward Waters' nursing bridge major need at least 30 completed credits, a 3.0 overall GPA, and a 3.0 GPA specifically in math/science major coursework, plus appropriate biology coursework already completed for their class standing - a higher and more specific bar than the university's general 2.0 transfer-GPA minimum, and one that's easy for a family to miss if they only check the general transfer requirements page.
Apply by the May 1 fall deadline even though the school isn't highly selective - it's the gateway to work-based learning placements
Edward Waters is not hard to get into on paper, but early application matters here for a different reason: the university runs more than 24 active work-based learning partnerships (Mayo Clinic, UF Health, and others), and priority access to these placements, plus New Student Orientation logistics, favors students admitted well before the fall semester rather than in the final weeks before class starts.
Expert Insight:
Don't let a family assume "not highly selective" means the specific numeric GPA/test-score bands don't matter - a student who falls just under the 2.5 GPA/14 ACT/800 SAT line is routed into Provisional admission and the summer Pearce Institute term rather than being denied outright, but families who don't know this distinction exists sometimes panic unnecessarily or, worse, don't realize their student needs to commit to the summer term to enroll in fall coursework as planned.
Edward Waters University Profile
Full Name
Edward Waters University
City
Jacksonville
State
Florida
ZIP Code
32209
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Edward Waters University Degree Worth It?
Whether Edward Waters University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $47,900, and graduates see a 4.76% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Edward Waters University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $26,973/year at Edward Waters University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Edward Waters University, 75.6% receive a Pell Grant and 72.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Edward Waters University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Edward Waters University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Edward Waters University graduates report a median income of $34,782, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Edward Waters University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC | 857 | 16 |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Edward Waters University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Edward Waters University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at Edward Waters University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Edward Waters University Admissions
Edward Waters University graduates earn a lower median salary of $34,782/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Edward Waters University is relatively affordable, around $26,973/year.
75.6% of Edward Waters University students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Edward Waters University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Edward Waters University's acceptance rate is 84.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Edward Waters University students is 2.64, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.34 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Edward Waters University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.24 or below makes admission tougher at Edward Waters University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Edward Waters University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 905, and within the 865–935 range, keeps you competitive.
Edward Waters University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Edward Waters University charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.