Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lebanon, Illinois
63.9% Acceptance Rate
McKendree University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
63.9%Acceptance Rate
3.38Avg GPA
1074Avg SAT
$47,121Annual Cost
$58,572Grad Salary
29.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
63.9%
Avg GPA
3.38
Avg SAT
1074
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1034–1104
Need-Based Aid
29.1% receive Pell
McKendree University, established in 1828 in Lebanon, Illinois, is the oldest college in the state and a private liberal arts institution ranked among the best regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News. The university's 235-acre campus combines historic buildings like Bothwell Chapel with modern facilities including the state-of-the-art Piper Academic Center. McKendree offers 50+ undergraduate programs with strengths in education, business, and nursing, maintaining a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university's Honors Program and undergraduate research opportunities provide enhanced academic experiences.
McKendree's location in the Metro East region provides easy access to St. Louis' cultural and professional opportunities while maintaining a traditional college-town atmosphere. The university's Division II athletic teams have won multiple national championships, and its esports program is among the nation's most competitive. McKendree's global studies program includes study abroad opportunities and international student exchanges. The campus is known for its beautiful oak trees and historic landmarks, including the oldest continuously used academic building in Illinois.
McKendree University Acceptance Rate
At 63.9%, admission to McKendree University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What McKendree 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 — 63.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.38 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.18 – 3.37
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.93
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
McKendree University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
McKendree 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
McKendree 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
McKendree University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at McKendree University is 3.38. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.08–3.38 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 3.58–3.78.McKendree University 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
3.38 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.18 – 3.37
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.98 – 3.17
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.97
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- ~15% acceptance rate reported by some sources (verify current cycle - other sources report ~55-60%; confirm directly with McKendree, as figures conflict)
- Recommendation letters and admission interview: optional generally, but may become required based on cumulative GPA
- SAT/ACT are supplemental only - not used for admission or academic scholarship decisions
- Written essay/personal statement required for freshman applicants; oldest university in Illinois (est. 1828)
- 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 McKendree University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from McKendree 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.
McKendree University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at McKendree 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 McKendree University Without SAT or ACT?
McKendree University 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.
McKendree University Average SAT Score: 1074
Admitted students at McKendree 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 (1104 SAT) to stand out. Below average? McKendree University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1034? A retake is worth it at McKendree 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1074 | 1034 | 1104 |
A score under 1034 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1104+ 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 McKendree University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in McKendree 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for McKendree University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into McKendree University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know your GPA determines what's actually optional
McKendree states that letters of recommendation and admission interviews are optional for most applicants - but may become required depending on your cumulative GPA. If your GPA sits in a borderline range, proactively secure a strong counselor recommendation and request an interview anyway, since you may be asked for these regardless of the "optional" label.
Don't bother optimizing test scores for scholarships here
Unlike most peer schools, McKendree treats SAT/ACT scores as purely supplemental - they aren't used for admission or academic scholarship consideration at all. Redirect the time you'd spend retaking tests toward strengthening your GPA, curriculum rigor, and leadership evidence instead, since those are what actually move McKendree's decision.
Write the required essay around demonstrated leadership, not just interest
McKendree does require a written essay/personal statement for freshman applicants (unlike many peer Illinois schools that make it optional). Since admission also explicitly weighs "proven leadership skills," use the essay to make an explicit, specific case for leadership rather than general interest in the school.
Target the Illinois' oldest-college distinctiveness if it fits your narrative
McKendree is the oldest college or university in Illinois (founded 1828) with strong CCNE-accredited nursing, IACBE-accredited business, and CAATE-accredited athletic training programs. If you're applying to one of these specific programs, reference the relevant accreditation by name - it signals you've researched the program's actual standing, not just the school's age.
Expert Insight:
Applicants often treat the "optional" recommendation letter and interview as skippable across the board, not realizing McKendree explicitly reserves the right to require them based on a borderline GPA - students who skip these end up needing to scramble for them mid-cycle once admissions follows up.
McKendree University Profile
Full Name
McKendree University
City
Lebanon
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
62254-1291
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a McKendree University Degree Worth It?
At $47,121/year against a $58,572 median graduate salary, McKendree 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 $58,600, and graduates see a 3.21% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from McKendree University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $47,121/year at McKendree University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At McKendree University, 29.1% receive a Pell Grant and 44.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming McKendree University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a McKendree University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, McKendree University graduates report a median income of $58,572, about 44% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than McKendree 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 McKendree 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 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than McKendree 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 McKendree University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About McKendree University Admissions
McKendree University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,572/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at McKendree University is moderate, around $47,121/year; many students supplement with aid.
29.1% of McKendree University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
McKendree University's acceptance rate is 63.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted McKendree University students is 3.38, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.08 puts you in the standard applicant pool at McKendree University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.98 or below makes admission tougher at McKendree University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
McKendree University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1074, and within the 1034–1104 range, keeps you competitive.
McKendree 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.
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