Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Demorest, Georgia
92.8% Acceptance Rate
Piedmont University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.8%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1074Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$45,359Annual Cost
$49,130Grad Salary
41.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.8%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1074
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
990–1170
ACT Middle 50%
18–24
Need-Based Aid
41.5% receive Pell
Piedmont University, founded in 1897 in Demorest, Georgia, offers strong programs in education, business, and nursing.
The 300-acre foothills campus includes the Swanson Center for Performing Arts, the R.H. Daniel School of Nursing, and the new Science Commons building.
Piedmont University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Piedmont University is inclusive by design. 92.8% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Piedmont University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Piedmont University (Spring — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 110 days left — Spring
Spring
December 1
Summer
May 1
Fall
August 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Piedmont University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Piedmont University is 3.54. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.24 and 3.54? 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 3.74–3.94.Piedmont University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The BSN program uses an Early Decision option for applicants with competitive GPA and TEAS/HESI scores; general document deadline is March 22, with the application cycle opening September 1.
- Nursing begins in summer (not fall) on both the Demorest and Athens campuses, and requires 200 clinical hours prior to graduation.
- The Semester Abroad program is limited to two specific partner universities: the University of Nottingham (England) and the University of Paderborn (Germany).
- Piedmont operates the Lillian E. Smith Center, an educational center and artist retreat, alongside its Compass experiential-learning program.
- 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 Piedmont University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Piedmont 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.
Piedmont University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Piedmont 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 Piedmont University Without SAT or ACT?
Piedmont University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Piedmont University Average SAT Score: 1074
Admitted students at Piedmont University average a 1074 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1074 — Accessible
A 1074 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Piedmont University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 990? A retake is worth it at Piedmont 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 | 525 | 480 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 510 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1074 | 990 | 1170 |
A score under 990 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1170+ 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 1050
Can I get into Piedmont University with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Piedmont 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.
Piedmont University ACT Requirements
Piedmont University's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 24 |
Can I get into Piedmont University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Piedmont University'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, Piedmont University 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 Piedmont University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Piedmont University is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Apply Early Decision to nursing if your GPA/TEAS scores are already competitive
Piedmont's BSN program offers an Early Decision option specifically for applicants with a competitive GPA and TEAS or HESI score - a faster path than the general March 22 document deadline. If you're confident in your numbers (3.0+ GPA, TEAS near the national average of 70, or 80+ on each HESI section) early in your senior year, ask admissions specifically about Early Decision for nursing rather than defaulting to the standard timeline.
Know the BSN program starts in summer, not fall - plan your gap accordingly
Piedmont's nursing program begins in the summer term on both the Demorest and Athens campuses, a genuinely unusual start date compared to the standard fall-start structure most nursing programs use. If you're finishing high school in the spring, plan for a shorter gap before your nursing coursework begins rather than assuming you'll wait until the following fall.
Use the specific two-country Semester Abroad option strategically
Piedmont's Semester Abroad program is limited to two specific partner universities - the University of Nottingham in England or the University of Paderborn in Germany - rather than a broad range of destinations. If study abroad matters to you, research which of these two specific programs better fits your major and language interests before committing, since your options are genuinely narrower than at schools with dozens of exchange partners.
Complete your 200 clinical hours requirement with local placement in mind
Piedmont's BSN program requires 200 clinical hours prior to graduation, and most nurses are placed locally after graduating, with some choosing regional or national opportunities. If you're planning to practice outside Georgia after graduation, ask specifically how clinical placement and licensure preparation translate to other states' requirements, since the program's local placement pattern suggests strong Georgia-specific employer relationships.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume Piedmont's overall high acceptance rate extends evenly to nursing - but the nursing program is explicitly competitive, capped by campus, and states that meeting minimum GPA/TEAS requirements does not guarantee admission. Applying late, after the March 22 document deadline, risks missing quickly filling program slots even with a qualifying academic profile.
Piedmont University Profile
Full Name
Piedmont University
City
Demorest
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30535-0010
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Piedmont University Degree Worth It?
At $45,359/year against a $49,130 median graduate salary, Piedmont University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $58,200, and graduates see a 2.78% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Piedmont University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $45,359/year at Piedmont University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Piedmont University, 41.5% receive a Pell Grant and 68% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Piedmont University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Piedmont University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Piedmont University graduates report a median income of $49,130, 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 Piedmont University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 1057 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Piedmont University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Piedmont 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 South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Piedmont University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Piedmont University Admissions
Piedmont University graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,130/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Piedmont University is moderate, around $45,359/year; many students supplement with aid.
41.5% of Piedmont University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Piedmont University's acceptance rate is 92.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Piedmont University students is 3.54, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.24 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Piedmont University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.14 or below makes admission tougher at Piedmont University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Piedmont University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1074, and within the 990–1170 range, keeps you competitive.
Piedmont University's deadline is December 1 (Spring).
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.