Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Elgin, Illinois
63.1% Acceptance Rate
Judson University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
63.1%Acceptance Rate
3.16Avg GPA
985Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$43,951Annual Cost
$56,313Grad Salary
39.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
63.1%
Avg GPA
3.16
Avg SAT
985
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
860–1080
ACT Middle 50%
16–23
Need-Based Aid
39.7% receive Pell
Judson University, established in 1963 near Chicago, is one of few evangelical Christian universities with an accredited architecture program. Also strong in digital media and pastoral studies.
The 90-acre Elgin campus features the Harm A. Weber Academic Center (LEED-certified), architecture design studios, and chapel performing arts center. Study abroad includes Jerusalem University College options.
Judson University Acceptance Rate
Judson University is moderately selective. 63.1% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Judson 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 — 63.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.71
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Judson University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Judson 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
Judson University 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 (Freshman scholarship priority: 2026/02/01) 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.
Judson University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Judson University is 3.16. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.86–3.16 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 3.36–3.56.Judson 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
3.16 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.76 – 2.95
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.75
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate: approximately 48% (IPEDS 2024-25: 395 of 830 admitted); personal essay and lifestyle statement required; $50 application fee; ACT/SAT required for architecture students and for students with high school GPA below 2.75; test-optional for all others.
- Judson holds the only NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program at an evangelical Christian university in the United States; architecture pass rates on the ARE have consistently exceeded the national average; architecture applicants must also submit a portfolio.
- HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) designation granted July 2023; approximately 32.5% of undergraduates identify as Hispanic; 10:1 student-faculty ratio; ~76% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Chapel attendance is required and graded (~28 sessions per semester for students taking 12+ credits); campus sits on the Fox River in Elgin, IL, approximately 36 miles from Chicago with Metra train access.
- 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 Judson University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Judson 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.
Judson University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Judson University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Judson University Without SAT or ACT?
Judson University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Judson University Average SAT Score: 985
The average SAT score of admitted students at Judson University is 985 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 985 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Judson 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 860, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Judson 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 | 483 | 425 | 540 |
| SAT Reading | 488 | 435 | 540 |
| SAT Composite | 985 | 860 | 1080 |
Below 860, you're behind most admitted students; at 1080 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 1000
Can I get into Judson University with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Judson 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.
Judson University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Judson University is 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 16 | 23 |
Can I get into Judson University with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Judson 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 Judson University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Judson University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Judson University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Know That the Essay Is Actually Required Here
Unlike many moderately selective Christian liberal arts schools, Judson requires a written personal statement as a formal part of the undergraduate application - it is not optional. Sources also note a "lifestyle statement" component consistent with Judson's Baptist-affiliated community expectations. A $50 application fee applies. The essay is an opportunity to address both academic direction and faith integration, since Judson's entire academic model is explicitly Christ-centered, including graded chapel attendance (approximately 28 sessions per semester required for students enrolled in 12+ credits). Students who treat the essay as a formality tend to produce generic faith-talk that blends into the pile; those who connect their specific academic goals to how a Christian liberal arts environment would shape that work stand out.
Architecture Students Face a Two-Track Process
Judson's NAAB-accredited M.Arch program - the only one at an evangelical Christian university in the United States - draws students to a school they might not otherwise encounter, but architecture applicants face requirements the general pool does not: ACT or SAT scores are required (not just recommended) for architecture-bound students, and a portfolio of work must be submitted. Students with a high school GPA below 2.75 also require test scores regardless of major. Counsel architecture-interested students to start their portfolio assembly early, since Judson's architecture program has a strong ARE (Architect Registration Exam) pass rate track record above the national average, and program capacity is limited. The design studio culture is small and immersive - students who want a large program or urban architecture school context will feel the mismatch.
Leverage the Chicago Proximity Strategically
Judson's campus sits on the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois, about 36 miles northwest of Chicago - close enough for regular access to internships, firms, and cultural institutions, but far enough that the campus functions as a genuine residential community. Architecture, business, and arts students should build a plan to access Chicago's professional infrastructure from day one; the 10:1 student-faculty ratio means faculty connections to Chicago professionals are often accessible. Students who treat Judson as a remote rural campus and never engage the metro miss the school's most distinctive geographic advantage.
Understand the HSI Designation and What It Signals
As of July 2023, Judson holds Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) status - approximately 32.5% of undergraduates identify as Hispanic, a proportion that has meaningfully reshaped the campus culture and unlocked additional federal grant funding streams for the institution. For students from underrepresented backgrounds, HSI designation can translate into specific scholarship programming and support infrastructure not present at comparable Christian colleges. This is a community context worth discussing explicitly with prospective students who care about campus diversity at a faith-affiliated school - Judson is notably more diverse than most of its peer Baptist-affiliated institutions.
Expert Insight:
The sharpest failure pattern at Judson is students who choose it for the architecture program without fully understanding what a small Christian liberal arts environment actually means day-to-day: graded chapel attendance is required, the lifestyle statement signals real behavioral expectations, and the campus of under 800 undergraduates offers very limited social anonymity. Architecture students in particular are in an immersive studio culture that requires sustained engagement - students who underestimate the faith integration or who chose Judson primarily as an affordable Chicago-adjacent option without genuine community fit tend to feel the mismatch acutely by spring of freshman year.
Judson University Profile
Full Name
Judson University
City
Elgin
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60123-1498
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Judson University Degree Worth It?
Whether Judson 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 $75,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.13%.
How much does a degree from Judson University Cost?
The sticker price is $43,951/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
39.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.4% take federal loans at Judson University. File your FAFSA early and list Judson University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Judson University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,313. That's about 39% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Judson University. 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 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 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 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Judson University. 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 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Judson University. 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 Judson University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Judson University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Judson University run about $56,313 a year.
Judson University costs roughly $43,951 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 39.7% receive a Pell Grant at Judson University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 63.1%, Judson University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Judson University average a 3.16 GPA.
Judson University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.86 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.76, Judson 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 Judson University — aim above 985, ideally within the 860–1080 range admitted students typically fall in.
Judson University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Freshman scholarship priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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.
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