Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Whiting, Indiana
Calumet College of Saint Joseph — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.75Avg GPA
$31,758Annual Cost
$46,945Grad Salary
48.5%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.75
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
48.5% receive Pell
Calumet College of St. Joseph is a private Catholic institution located near Chicago that offers a values-based education focused on social justice and service. The college is known for its small class sizes and personal attention, providing a supportive environment where students from diverse backgrounds can pursue associate, bachelor, and master's degrees.\n\nBy integrating community service and civic engagement into its curriculum, the college encourages students to apply their education toward making a positive impact on society. Its location and commitment to fostering a whole-person approach make it an attractive option for students seeking an affordable, community-oriented private university experience.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Acceptance Rate
Calumet College of Saint Joseph (CCSJ) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.75 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.55 – 2.74
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.30
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Calumet College of Saint Joseph 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
CCSJ 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 (March 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.
CCSJ GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CCSJ is 2.75. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
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 2.95–3.15.CCSJ 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
2.75 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.55 – 2.74
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.35 – 2.54
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.34
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional, rolling admission; Honors Learning Community selects specifically on leadership/service over test scores
- Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates report $55,587 median earnings vs. $33,166 for Business Administration - a 68% gap between the two most popular majors
- Criminal Justice faculty maintain active professional ties to Chicago/Northwest Indiana law enforcement, directly supporting job placement
- Six-year graduation rate is approximately 30%; first-year retention is under 40% - ask about major-specific retention supports before enrolling
- 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 CCSJ
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Calumet College of Saint Joseph'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph (CCSJ) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CCSJ is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CCSJ Without SAT or ACT?
CCSJ's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CCSJ
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into CCSJ is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Request a Faculty Mentor Introduction in Your Specific Criminal Justice Track
CCSJ's Criminal Justice program's real value is faculty with active, current professional ties to Chicago and Northwest Indiana police departments, probation offices, and security firms - not just coursework. A student should ask admissions or their assigned advisor directly for an introduction to a faculty mentor working in their specific target track (police, probation, corrections, federal) during orientation, since the program's placement strength runs through these individual professional relationships.
Apply to the Honors Learning Community on Leadership, Not Test Scores
CCSJ's Honors Learning Community explicitly selects for leadership and service experience over standardized test scores. A student with a modest SAT/ACT record (or none at all, given test-optional admission) but strong leadership or community service background should apply to this program directly and lead with that experience in their materials - it's a genuine alternate admissions signal, not just an academic honors track for top scorers.
Weigh the Documented Earnings Gap Before Choosing Between the Two Most Popular Majors
Reported data shows Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earning a median $55,587 versus $33,166 for Business Administration, Management and Operations - a 68% gap. For a student genuinely torn between the two and prioritizing post-graduation earnings, walk through this specific comparison explicitly rather than defaulting to whichever major "sounds more traditional" for a four-year degree.
Ask Specifically About the Accelerated Organization Management/Public Safety Management Tracks
CCSJ offers accelerated bachelor's completion tracks specifically in Organization Management and Public Safety Management, aimed at adult or transfer-credit-heavy students - these aren't the default path shown to traditional first-year applicants. A working adult or transfer student should ask admissions directly about these tracks rather than assuming the standard four-year bachelor's timeline is their only option.
Expert Insight:
CCSJ's six-year graduation rate is approximately 30% and first-year retention sits under 40% - don't let the school's small size and "close-knit community" messaging substitute for asking what structured, major-specific retention supports actually exist. A family should ask directly what happens for a student in their intended major if they start to struggle in year one, not just accept general assurances about small class sizes.
CCSJ Profile
Full Name
Calumet College of Saint Joseph (CCSJ)
City
Whiting
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46394
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CCSJ Degree Worth It?
CCSJ offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $57,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.93%.
How much does a degree from CCSJ Cost?
The sticker price is $31,758/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
48.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 58.6% take federal loans at CCSJ — file your FAFSA early and list CCSJ as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CCSJ Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,945 — about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at CCSJ
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CCSJ Admissions
Median earnings for Calumet College of Saint Joseph graduates sit around $46,945 a year.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph costs roughly $31,758 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 48.5% receive a Pell Grant at Calumet College of Saint Joseph — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Admitted students at Calumet College of Saint Joseph average a 2.75 GPA.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.45 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.35, Calumet College of Saint Joseph becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
Calumet College of Saint Joseph follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is March 1, 2026. 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.