Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Quincy, Illinois
49.9% Acceptance Rate
Quincy University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
49.9%Acceptance Rate
3.47Avg GPA
1157Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$45,102Annual Cost
$50,369Grad Salary
29.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
49.9%
Avg GPA
3.47
Avg SAT
1157
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1250
ACT Middle 50%
21–25
Need-Based Aid
29.6% receive Pell
Quincy University, established in 1860 in Illinois, is a Franciscan institution offering programs in aviation, education, and health sciences.
The 75-acre campus includes the Connie Niemann Center for Music, the Health and Fitness Center, and the QU Stadium. The university's aviation program operates from nearby regional airport facilities.
Quincy University Acceptance Rate
Quincy University is selective but reasonable. About 49.9% of applicants (50 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Quincy University Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 49.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.02
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Quincy University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Quincy 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
Quincy 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 (February 1, 2026) 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.
Quincy University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Quincy University is 3.47. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.17–3.47 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 3.67–3.87.Quincy 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
3.47 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.07 – 3.26
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.06
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Small, Franciscan Catholic university (~1,100 students) in Quincy, IL, founded 1860.
- Test-optional for both admission and scholarships; sources conflict on whether an essay is required.
- Merit scholarship categories include Art, Athletic, Catholic, Discovery, Legacy, and Music tracks.
- 100% student participation in community service annually via campus ministry.
- 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 Quincy University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Quincy 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.
Quincy University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Quincy 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 Quincy University Without SAT or ACT?
Quincy University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Quincy University Average SAT Score: 1157
Admitted students at Quincy University average a 1157 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1157 — Less Competitive
A 1157 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Quincy University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1070? A retake is worth it at Quincy 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 | 575 | 530 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 540 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1157 | 1070 | 1250 |
A score under 1070 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1250+ 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 1150
Can I get into Quincy University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Quincy 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.
Quincy University ACT Requirements
Quincy University's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT English | 22 | 20 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 21 | 25 |
Can I get into Quincy University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Quincy 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, Quincy 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 Quincy University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Quincy University, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Use the test-optional policy strategically, not defensively
QU explicitly states no SAT/ACT disadvantages you for admission or academic scholarships. If your GPA is a stronger signal than your test scores, skip testing entirely rather than submitting a middling score that could work against a merit scholarship tier.
Verify the essay requirement directly with QU before deciding whether to write one
Sources conflict here: QU's own Common App profile lists "no personal essay required" for first-year applicants, while several third-party admissions sites describe a required or strongly recommended personal statement. Call QU admissions directly to confirm current-cycle policy before skipping it - don't rely on aggregator sites.
Target a named scholarship category, not just "financial aid" broadly
QU's merit scholarships are split into distinct tracks (Art, Athletic, Catholic, Discovery, Freshman Academic, Legacy, Music, Presidential, Transfer Academic). Identify which specific track fits your background (e.g., Catholic school attendance, legacy status, art portfolio) and ask admissions which application materials trigger consideration for that track.
Reference the Franciscan community-service culture directly if you write anything supplemental
100% of QU students participate in community service annually through campus ministry and mission trips (including the Assisi Experience study-abroad program). If given any optional space to explain fit, tie your own service history to this specific, verifiable campus culture rather than generic "I like helping people" language.
Expert Insight:
Because QU's admissions signals are unusually inconsistent across sources (conflicting essay requirements, acceptance rate estimates ranging from 40% to 60%+), don't trust any single third-party ranking site's numbers for this school. Confirm GPA, test, and essay requirements directly with QU's admissions office each cycle.
Quincy University Profile
Full Name
Quincy University
City
Quincy
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
62301-2699
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Quincy University Degree Worth It?
Whether Quincy 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $58,100, and graduates see a 3.6% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Quincy University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $45,102/year at Quincy University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Quincy University, 29.6% receive a Pell Grant and 52.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Quincy University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Quincy University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Quincy University graduates report a median income of $50,369, about 24% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Quincy University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Quincy University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Quincy University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Quincy University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Quincy University Admissions
Quincy University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $50,369/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Quincy University is moderate, around $45,102/year; many students supplement with aid.
29.6% of Quincy University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Quincy University's acceptance rate is 49.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Quincy University students is 3.47, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.17 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Quincy University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.07 or below makes admission tougher at Quincy University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Quincy University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1157, and within the 1070–1250 range, keeps you competitive.
Quincy University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Quincy University'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.
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