Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Atlanta, Georgia
60.1% Acceptance Rate
Oglethorpe University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60.1%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1230Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$59,320Annual Cost
$55,232Grad Salary
33.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60.1%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1230
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1106–1320
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Need-Based Aid
33.7% receive Pell
Oglethorpe University, established in 1835, is a private liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, with a distinctive curriculum centered on the 'Core' program. Ranked among the most innovative Southern colleges, its Gothic-style campus features the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art. The university is particularly known for its strong programs in business administration, psychology, and communications.
Oglethorpe's 'Atlanta Laboratory for Learning' provides students with extensive internship opportunities in the city's corporate and cultural institutions. The university combines intimate class sizes with the resources of a major metropolitan area, fostering both intellectual growth and professional development.
Oglethorpe University Acceptance Rate
Oglethorpe University is moderately selective. 60.1% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Oglethorpe 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 — 60.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Oglethorpe University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Oglethorpe 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
Oglethorpe 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.
Oglethorpe GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Oglethorpe is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.93–4.13.Oglethorpe GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Early Action deadline is Nov 15; Scholarship Weekend is invite-only for top EA applicants competing for full-tuition scholarships.
- Test-optional; average SAT ~1175, ACT ~27 among students who submit scores.
- Flagship 50 matches your home state's flagship public tuition for qualified students (3.8 GPA or 1400 SAT/30 ACT).
- Acceptance rate estimates vary widely by source (roughly 60%?89%) - don't anchor on one number.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 Oglethorpe
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Oglethorpe 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.
Oglethorpe University (Oglethorpe) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Oglethorpe. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Oglethorpe Without SAT or ACT?
Oglethorpe considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Oglethorpe University Average SAT Score: 1230
Admitted students at Oglethorpe University average a 1230 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1230 — Slightly Competitive
A 1230 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Oglethorpe University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1106? A retake is worth it at Oglethorpe. 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 | 592 | 533 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 622 | 573 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1230 | 1106 | 1320 |
A score under 1106 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1320+ 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 1250
Can I get into Oglethorpe University (Oglethorpe) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Oglethorpe'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.
Oglethorpe University (Oglethorpe) ACT Requirements
Oglethorpe's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 21 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Oglethorpe University with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of Oglethorpe's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Oglethorpe weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Oglethorpe
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Oglethorpe takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Chase Flagship 50 early
Apply Early Action by Nov 15 and aim for a 3.8 GPA or 1400 superscored SAT/30 ACT - hitting that bar locks in your home state's flagship public tuition rate, Oglethorpe's signature financial hook.
Prep for Scholarship Weekend like an interview
Top EA admits get invited to an on-campus competition for full-tuition awards (James Edward Oglethorpe, Hammack, Theatre, Civic Engagement). Walk in with a specific, rehearsed answer for "why Oglethorpe," not a generic one.
Tie your essay to The Core, not "well-rounded education"
Their essay asks how you'll define a successful college experience - reference Oglethorpe's required great-books Core curriculum by name to show you've done real research, not just applied broadly.
Use the writing-sample option if scores are weak
Oglethorpe is test-optional and accepts a 500-word academic writing sample as an alternate signal - submit a strong one instead of a mediocre test score.
Expert Insight:
Students often treat the Scholarship Weekend invite as the moment to start figuring out "why Oglethorpe" - but the day moves fast and rewards applicants who can already speak to specific Core classes or professors, not generalities.
Oglethorpe Profile
Full Name
Oglethorpe University (Oglethorpe)
City
Atlanta
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30319-2797
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Oglethorpe Degree Worth It?
Whether Oglethorpe 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 $73,800, and graduates see a 3.18% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Oglethorpe Cost?
Listed tuition runs $59,320/year at Oglethorpe. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Oglethorpe, 33.7% receive a Pell Grant and 67.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Oglethorpe on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Oglethorpe Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Oglethorpe graduates report a median income of $55,232, about 36% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Oglethorpe University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Oglethorpe University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Oglethorpe University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Oglethorpe
Bachelor Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Oglethorpe Admissions
Oglethorpe University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $55,232/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Oglethorpe University runs high, at roughly $59,320+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
33.7% of Oglethorpe University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Oglethorpe University's acceptance rate is 60.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Oglethorpe University students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Oglethorpe University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Oglethorpe University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Oglethorpe University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1230, and within the 1106–1320 range, keeps you competitive.
Oglethorpe University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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.