Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Lewiston, Idaho
89.8% Acceptance Rate
Lewis-Clark State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.8%Acceptance Rate
3.23Avg GPA
980Avg SAT
$18,646Annual Cost
$46,001Grad Salary
24%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.8%
Avg GPA
3.23
Avg SAT
980
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
940–1010
Avg Net Price
$12,832
Need-Based Aid
24% receive Pell
Lewis-Clark State College is a public institution in Idaho that prioritizes student-centered education, accessibility, and community engagement. Admissions focus on high school academic performance and the completion of core college-preparatory coursework. The college seeks students who are motivated by professional success and who are ready to participate in a supportive, small-campus environment that emphasizes personalized attention.
Applicants should emphasize their readiness for independent study and their career-focused ambitions. Highlighting participation in high school extracurriculars that require teamwork or organizational skill is highly recommended. A successful application shows that the student is prepared to take advantage of the college's personalized academic resources to meet their specific professional and career goals.
Lewis-Clark State College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Lewis-Clark State College is inclusive by design. 89.8% 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 — 89.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.78
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lewis-Clark State College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lewis-Clark State College 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
LCSC 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2026/02/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
LCSC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at LCSC is 3.23. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.93–3.23 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.43–3.63.LCSC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.23 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.83 – 3.02
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.82
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-blind admissions: SAT/ACT scores are not used in the academic admission decision even if submitted.
- Regular admission accepts students with a 2.0+ GPA on 14+ transferable credits (transfer route) or Idaho's Direct Admissions benchmark (freshman route); acceptance rate runs roughly 90%.
- March 1 priority deadline for merit and Idaho state scholarships requires the 7th-semester HS transcript on file-separate from the general admission deadline.
- Career & Technical Education programs have independent placement exams and admission standards, distinct from general Academic Regular Admission.
- 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 LCSC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lewis-Clark State College'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.
Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at LCSC. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into LCSC Without SAT or ACT?
LCSC 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.
Lewis-Clark State College Average SAT Score: 980
Admitted students at Lewis-Clark State College average a 980 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 980 — Accessible
A 980 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1010 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Lewis-Clark State College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 940? A retake is worth it at LCSC. 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 | 980 | 940 | 1010 |
A score under 940 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1010+ 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 1000
Can I get into Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in LCSC'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 LCSC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
LCSC takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Treat Direct Admissions as the Floor, Not the Finish Line
Idaho's Direct Admissions program automatically notifies students clearing the State Board's GPA/test-score benchmark that they're accepted to LC State and several in-state colleges-but this confirms only general Academic Regular Admission. Students should still submit the actual application through Apply Idaho (free, no essay) to trigger scholarship review, since Direct Admissions notification alone does not generate a financial aid package.
Ignore Test Prep, Protect the GPA Trend Instead
LC State is test-blind for academic admission-SAT/ACT scores aren't considered even if submitted-so test-prep energy is largely wasted here. The real lever is the 7th-semester (senior fall) transcript, which must reach LC State by the March 1 priority deadline to be considered for merit-based and Idaho scholarship funding; a late transcript won't block admission but can cost real scholarship money.
Separate the CTE Application From the General One
Career and Technical Education programs (welding, diesel technology, and other AAS/certificate tracks) run on entirely different placement standards than academic admission-each sets its own competency exam and enrollment cap through the Program Finder tool, and general admission does not guarantee a CTE seat. Students targeting a specific trade should contact that program directly rather than assuming Direct Admissions covers it.
Lead With the Nursing Outcomes Data for Health Sciences
LC State's nursing program posted a 96.43% first-time NCLEX pass rate, outperforming competitor programs across ID, WA, and OR-this is a stronger personal-statement anchor than generic "I want to help people" framing. Nursing/allied-health applicants should ask their advisor specifically about program-level admission requirements, which are separate from and more selective than general LC State admission.
Expert Insight:
Do not confuse this institution with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon-a selective, private liberal arts college with an entirely different application, cost, and admissions process. Families researching "Lewis Clark" online frequently pull data from the wrong school and build a strategy around it.
LCSC Profile
Full Name
Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC)
City
Lewiston
State
Idaho
ZIP Code
83501-2698
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a LCSC Degree Worth It?
At $18,646/year against a $46,001 median graduate salary, LCSC 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 $49,300, and graduates see a 4.1% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from LCSC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $18,646/year at LCSC. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,832.
At LCSC, 24% receive a Pell Grant and 26.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming LCSC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a LCSC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, LCSC graduates report a median income of $46,001, about 13% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lewis-Clark State College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lewis-Clark State College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lewis-Clark State College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at LCSC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About LCSC Admissions
Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn a lower median salary of $46,001/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Lewis-Clark State College is relatively affordable, around $18,646/year.
24.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Lewis-Clark State College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Lewis-Clark State College's acceptance rate is 89.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lewis-Clark State College students is 3.23, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.93 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lewis-Clark State College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.83 or below makes admission tougher at Lewis-Clark State College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lewis-Clark State College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 980, and within the 940–1010 range, keeps you competitive.
Lewis-Clark State College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Lewis-Clark State College charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship: 2026/02/15. That's Lewis-Clark State College's scholarship priority date.
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.