Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
West Palm Beach, Florida
88.3% Acceptance Rate
Palm Beach Atlantic University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.3%Acceptance Rate
3.36Avg GPA
1101Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$55,576Annual Cost
$49,232Grad Salary
25.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.3%
Avg GPA
3.36
Avg SAT
1101
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
970–1210
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Need-Based Aid
25.1% receive Pell
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, Christian university in Florida dedicated to academic excellence and Christ-centered service. Admissions are holistic, weighing academic record against evidence of strong moral character and a commitment to the university's mission. The university seeks individuals who will contribute to its supportive, mission-focused campus culture and who show a genuine interest in integrating their faith with their professional studies.
For applicants, highlighting service-oriented extracurricular activities and strong character references is vital. The university appreciates students who have been active in their faith communities or community service initiatives during high school. A strong personal statement should discuss how the student's personal values align with the mission of Palm Beach Atlantic and how they intend to translate their education into service after graduation.
Palm Beach Atlantic University Acceptance Rate
Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic PBA) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 88.3% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.91
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Palm Beach Atlantic University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Palm Beach Atlantic 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
Palm Beach Atlantic PBA 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.
Palm Beach Atlantic PBA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Palm Beach Atlantic PBA is 3.36. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.06–3.36 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.56–3.76.Palm Beach Atlantic PBA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.96 – 3.15
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.95
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- PBA's Gregory School of Pharmacy caps enrollment at 75 students per class specifically to preserve personalized, mission-integrated (community service, medical mission trip) teaching - a genuine structural differentiator from larger pharmacy programs.
- An Early Assurance Program offers guaranteed pharmacy school admission to current full-time PBA undergraduates who complete PharmCAS and meet GPA/prerequisite benchmarks - bypassing the standard competitive external PharmCAS cycle.
- Test-optional for 2025-2026; the personal essay specifically evaluates faith journey and future aspirations, not just generic achievement, per PBA's own admissions framing.
- Acceptance rate is roughly 82% with a mid-50% SAT range around 950-1220 - PBA is not need to hit a high bar academically, but the mission/faith-fit components of the application carry real weight for competitive professional programs.
- 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 Palm Beach Atlantic PBA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Palm Beach Atlantic University'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.
Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic PBA) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Palm Beach Atlantic PBA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Without SAT or ACT?
Palm Beach Atlantic PBA considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Palm Beach Atlantic University Average SAT Score: 1101
The average SAT score of admitted students at Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1101 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1101 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Palm Beach Atlantic University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 970, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Palm Beach Atlantic PBA. 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 | 530 | 470 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1101 | 970 | 1210 |
Below 970, you're behind most admitted students; at 1210 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 1100
Can I get into Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic PBA) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Palm Beach Atlantic PBA'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.
Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic PBA) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Palm Beach Atlantic PBA is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Palm Beach Atlantic University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Palm Beach Atlantic PBA's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 Palm Beach Atlantic PBA.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Palm Beach Atlantic PBA
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Palm Beach Atlantic PBA isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Pursue the Early Assurance Pathway Into the Gregory School of Pharmacy From Day One as an Undergraduate - Don't Wait Until Junior Year to Decide
PBA's Early Assurance Program guarantees admission into the small, 75-student Gregory School of Pharmacy for current full-time PBA undergraduates who complete a PharmCAS application while meeting program requirements - a materially different, lower-risk path than applying externally to pharmacy school after finishing a bachelor's elsewhere. A student even loosely considering pharmacy should be advised to enroll at PBA as an undergraduate specifically to access this guarantee, since it converts a competitive national PharmCAS cycle into an internal, near-certain progression as long as GPA and prerequisite benchmarks are met.
Write the Personal Essay as an Actual Faith Narrative, Not a Generic Achievement Essay With Christian Language Sprinkled In
PBA's admissions process explicitly evaluates character through "the personal essay which reflects faith journey and future aspirations" - this is a specific prompt expectation, not a generic personal statement. A student should write toward their actual spiritual journey and how it connects to their intended field of study (nursing, ministry, business, etc.) rather than retrofitting a standard extracurricular-highlight essay with occasional faith references, since reviewers reading hundreds of applications can tell the difference between a genuine faith narrative and a bolted-on one.
Leverage the Small Pharmacy Cohort Cap (75 Students) as a Program-Fit Talking Point in Interviews
Unlike large state pharmacy programs, PBA deliberately caps its Doctor of Pharmacy class at 75 students annually to preserve personalized, interactive teaching - a structural choice tied to the school's stated mission of forming "servant-leaders" through Christ-centered patient care training, including community service and medical mission trip components. Applicants should reference this small-cohort, mission-trip-integrated model specifically when explaining program fit, rather than generic "personalized attention" language that could apply to any small pharmacy school.
Confirm Test-Optional Status Applies to the Specific Cycle and Program Before Skipping the SAT/ACT Entirely
PBA is test-optional for 2025-2026 general admission, but competitive professional programs (pharmacy, potentially nursing) may still expect or request scores as part of a supplementary review - a detail easily missed if a student assumes university-wide test-optional policy extends uniformly to every selective program. Students targeting pharmacy or other high-demand health programs should confirm directly with the specific program office whether scores strengthen or are effectively expected for that track, rather than relying on the general test-optional messaging.
Expert Insight:
Because PBA's general first-year admission is test-optional, fee-free, and essay-optional, families sometimes underestimate how much the faith-narrative essay and pharmacy-specific Early Assurance pathway actually matter for competitive programs - a student aiming for pharmacy who skips the essay because it's "not required" loses the one application component that most directly demonstrates fit with PBA's explicitly Christ-centered professional mission.
Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Profile
Full Name
Palm Beach Atlantic University (Palm Beach Atlantic PBA)
City
West Palm Beach
State
Florida
ZIP Code
33401
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Degree Worth It?
At $55,576/year against a $49,232 median graduate salary, Palm Beach Atlantic PBA 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 $64,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.05%.
How much does a degree from Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Cost?
The sticker price is $55,576/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
25.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 38% take federal loans at Palm Beach Atlantic PBA — file your FAFSA early and list Palm Beach Atlantic PBA as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,232 — about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Palm Beach Atlantic University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Palm Beach Atlantic University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Palm Beach Atlantic 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 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Palm Beach Atlantic PBA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Beach Atlantic PBA Admissions
Median earnings for Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates sit around $49,232 a year.
At about $55,576 a year, Palm Beach Atlantic University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 25.1% receive a Pell Grant at Palm Beach Atlantic University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 88.3%, Palm Beach Atlantic University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Palm Beach Atlantic University average a 3.36 GPA.
Palm Beach Atlantic University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.06 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.96, Palm Beach Atlantic University 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University — aim above 1101, ideally within the 970–1210 range admitted students typically fall in.
Palm Beach Atlantic University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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.