Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Fort Valley, Georgia
62.8% Acceptance Rate
Fort Valley State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
62.8%Acceptance Rate
2.87Avg GPA
864Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$20,342Annual Cost
$36,666Grad Salary
72%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
62.8%
Avg GPA
2.87
Avg SAT
864
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
795–920
ACT Middle 50%
16–19
Avg Net Price
$11,609
Need-Based Aid
72% receive Pell
Fort Valley State University Fort Valley State University (FVSU), founded in 1895 in Georgia, is a historically black public university and member of the University System of Georgia. As Georgia's only 1890 land-grant institution, FVSU has particular strengths in agriculture, STEM fields, and education. The 1,365-acre campus includes agricultural research facilities, modern science labs, and the state-of-the-art Health and Physical Education Complex. FVSU's Small Business Development Center provides entrepreneurial training and resources to the community. The university's athletic teams, the Wildcats, compete in NCAA Division II as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
FVSU maintains a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension services. Recent campus improvements include the new Student Amenities and Recreation Center and upgraded residence halls. The university's Cooperative Developmental Energy Program has gained national recognition for increasing diversity in STEM fields. FVSU's Agricultural Research Station supports important work in sustainable farming practices. With a focus on hands-on learning and community impact, FVSU provides valuable educational opportunities while preserving its historic role as an HBCU serving Georgia's rural communities.
Fort Valley State University Acceptance Rate
Fort Valley State University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 62.8% each year.
What Fort Valley State University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 62.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.87 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.67 – 2.86
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.42
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Fort Valley State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Fort Valley State University is 2.87. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
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 3.07–3.27.Fort Valley State University 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
2.87 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.67 – 2.86
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.47 – 2.66
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.46
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The university operates specialized cooperative developmental programs with federal agencies, offering unique summer research stipends to high-achieving STEM majors.
- Admissions pathways utilize a rolling framework, but specialized institutional foundation grants run out completely by early spring.
- Dual-enrollment credits earned during high school must be backed by official college transcripts to clear lower-division general prerequisites.
- 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 Fort Valley State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Fort Valley State University'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.
Fort Valley State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Fort Valley State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Fort Valley State University Without SAT or ACT?
Fort Valley State University requires SAT or ACT scores. Applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
Fort Valley State University Average SAT Score: 864
The average SAT score of admitted students at Fort Valley State University is 864 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 864 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (920 SAT or 19 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Fort Valley State 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 795, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Fort Valley State University. 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 | 418 | 395 | 440 |
| SAT Reading | 440 | 400 | 480 |
| SAT Composite | 864 | 795 | 920 |
Below 795, you're behind most admitted students; at 920 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 850
Can I get into Fort Valley State University with a 900 SAT?
A 900 SAT puts you ahead of most of Fort Valley State University'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.
Fort Valley State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Fort Valley State University is 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 16 | 18 |
| ACT English | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 16 | 19 |
Can I get into Fort Valley State University with a 19 ACT?
A 19 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Fort Valley State University'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 Fort Valley State University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Fort Valley State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Fort Valley State University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
HBCU Land-Grant Pathing
Highlight any practical agriculture, biotechnology, or regional farming leadership experiences if applying to the College of Agriculture. As a historic land-grant institution, the university heavily prioritizes applicants showing clear alignment with regional agri-science advancement.
Wildcat Onboarding Acceleration
Complete your electronic institutional application during early autumn to secure your student portal logins early. Early system entry grants you first-tier access to mandatory orientation blocks, which control course availability for foundational general education tracks.
HOPE & Zell Miller Validation
Verify that your official high school academic profile is uploaded correctly to the Georgia Student Finance Commission portal. Confirming your eligibility early streamlines financial aid packaging, allowing state-funded merit pathways to clear tuition lines before bills post.
Placement Index Verification
Submit your official SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer scores directly to the admissions repository to clear entry benchmarks. Proper documentation ensures you skip non-credit remedial writing and mathematics blocks, reducing graduation costs.
Expert Insight: Neglecting to submit an official final high school transcript containing your explicit graduation date will cause an immediate registration lock before your second semester begins.
Fort Valley State University Profile
Full Name
Fort Valley State University
City
Fort Valley
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
31030-4313
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Fort Valley State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Fort Valley State 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $53,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.54%.
How much does a degree from Fort Valley State University Cost?
The sticker price is $20,342/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $11,609.
72% of students receive a Pell Grant and 70.1% take federal loans at Fort Valley State University. File your FAFSA early and list Fort Valley State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Fort Valley State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $36,666. That's 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 Fort Valley State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manor College | Jenkintown, PA | 820 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Fort Valley State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC | 857 | 16 |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Fort Valley State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
Degree Programs at Fort Valley State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Valley State University Admissions
Median earnings for Fort Valley State University graduates sit around $36,666 a year.
At about $20,342 a year, Fort Valley State University is on the more affordable end.
With 72.0% of Fort Valley State University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Fort Valley State University is the key move.
At 62.8%, Fort Valley State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Fort Valley State University average a 2.87 GPA.
Fort Valley State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.57 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.47, Fort Valley State 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 Fort Valley State University — aim above 864, ideally within the 795–920 range admitted students typically fall in.
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.