Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana
76.1% Acceptance Rate
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
76.1%Acceptance Rate
3.35Avg GPA
966Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$47,143Annual Cost
$43,845Grad Salary
50.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
76.1%
Avg GPA
3.35
Avg SAT
966
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
875–1070
ACT Middle 50%
15–18
Need-Based Aid
50.6% receive Pell
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Indiana known for its history of empowering students, particularly women, to achieve their academic and professional goals. With a focus on service, leadership, and personal growth, the college provides a supportive and community-oriented environment. Its commitment to providing a high-value, values-based education makes it a meaningful choice for those seeking a transformative experience.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is inclusive by design. 76.1% 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 — 76.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.90
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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
St Mary-of-the-Woods College 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.
St Mary-of-the-Woods College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St Mary-of-the-Woods College is 3.35. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.05–3.35 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 3.55–3.75.St Mary-of-the-Woods College 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
3.35 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.95 – 3.14
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.94
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate ~72?78% (sources vary; US News and Niche report 72%); rolling admissions; test-optional; oldest Catholic college in Indiana (founded 1840); became coeducational on campus in 2015 after 175 years as a women's institution; 67-acre campus 5 miles northwest of Terre Haute, IN.
- Only equine studies BS program in Indiana; 48 college-owned horses; study abroad placement in Ireland; equine-assisted therapy, breeding management, and therapeutic riding concentrations available.
- Founded by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, canonized October 15, 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI - Indiana's only canonized saint; her remains are enshrined on campus in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the Sisters of Providence motherhouse.
- MA in Art Therapy placed on probationary accreditation status by CAAHEP effective July 2025 - graduate art therapy applicants must verify current standing directly with CAAHEP before enrolling; music therapy programs (undergraduate and graduate) remain AMTA-accredited and support the MT-BC exam pathway.
- 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 St Mary-of-the-Woods College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at St Mary-of-the-Woods College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into St Mary-of-the-Woods College Without SAT or ACT?
St Mary-of-the-Woods College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Average SAT Score: 966
Admitted students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College average a 966 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 966 — Accessible
A 966 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1070 SAT or 18 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 875? A retake is worth it at St Mary-of-the-Woods College. 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 | 483 | 435 | 530 |
| SAT Reading | 490 | 440 | 540 |
| SAT Composite | 966 | 875 | 1070 |
A score under 875 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1070+ 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 950
Can I get into Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in St Mary-of-the-Woods College'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.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) ACT Requirements
St Mary-of-the-Woods College's admitted students average an ACT of 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
An average of 17 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 16 | 19 |
| ACT English | 16 | 14 | 17 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 15 | 18 |
Can I get into Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a 18 ACT?
At 18, you're in the top quarter of St Mary-of-the-Woods College'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, St Mary-of-the-Woods College 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 St Mary-of-the-Woods College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
St Mary-of-the-Woods College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Indiana's Only BS in Equine Studies - and the Program Has 48 College-Owned Horses on Campus
SMWC's Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies is the only program in Indiana offering a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies, and it is supported by a fully operational equestrian center on campus with 48 college-owned horses. Concentrations include equine science, equine business management, equine-assisted therapy, equine breeding management, and therapeutic riding - a range that covers pre-veterinary preparation, therapeutic work, and farm business management within a single B.S. framework. Students interested in horses as a career, not just a hobby, who are comparing SMWC to other equine programs should ask specifically about facilities access, student-to-horse ratios in clinical courses, and what internship and study abroad (Ireland is an active placement site) opportunities are supported through the program.
The Campus Was Founded by a Canonized Saint - That Is a Specific and Unusual Institutional Fact
SMWC was founded in 1840 by Mother Theodore Guerin, who was canonized as Saint Theodora Guerin by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2006 - making her Indiana's first and only canonized saint. Her remains are enshrined on campus in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at the Sisters of Providence motherhouse, which sits adjacent to the college campus. Students applying from a Catholic background who care about the specificity of the institution's faith heritage - not just its general Catholic affiliation - should engage this history directly in their applications. The founding story of a French woman who crossed the Atlantic with five companions to establish a school in frontier Indiana has a genuine character that distinguishes SMWC from generic Catholic liberal arts college narratives.
The College Became Coeducational Only in 2015 - Culture Is Still Evolving
SMWC admitted male students to its campus undergraduate programs beginning in 2015, after 175 years as a women's institution. Online programs have been coeducational since 2005. The transition to full coeducation on campus is recent by any institutional standard - the culture, traditions, student organizations, and physical plant were all developed within a women's college context. Male applicants should understand that they are entering an institution whose identity, architecture, and community norms were formed within that tradition and are still adjusting. This is not a disqualifying consideration, but it is one that deserves honest research - including talking with current male students about their experience before enrolling.
Music Therapy and Art Therapy Programs Carry Specialized Accreditation - Verify Current Status Before Applying
SMWC's music therapy programs (undergraduate and graduate) are accredited by the American Music Therapy Association and enable graduates to sit for the CBMT examination for the MT-BC credential. The graduate Master of Arts in Art Therapy was placed on probationary accreditation status by CAAHEP (effective July 2025) following a review that identified compliance gaps. Prospective art therapy graduate students should contact SMWC's graduate admissions office directly to ask about the timeline and conditions for resolving the probationary status, since this affects the program's standing during the time they would be enrolled and completing the required 600 clinical hours.
Expert Insight:
SMWC's most significant counselor-level flag is the Art Therapy MA's probationary accreditation status, effective July 2025. Students planning to use this graduate credential for licensure or clinical work should verify the program's current standing directly with CAAHEP (caahep.org) before applying - a program under probation is still operational, but the timeline for resolution and the implications for graduates' licensure eligibility are questions that deserve clear answers before a student commits. For undergraduate applicants, the more common failure is treating SMWC as a rural fallback school without researching what makes the equine studies, music therapy, and education programs genuinely specialized - these are not generic offerings, and the strongest applicants are those who chose the school for one of them specifically.
St Mary-of-the-Woods College Profile
Full Name
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College)
City
Saint Mary of the Woods
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
47876-1099
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a St Mary-of-the-Woods College Degree Worth It?
Whether St Mary-of-the-Woods College 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 $56,600, and graduates see a 3.24% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from St Mary-of-the-Woods College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $47,143/year at St Mary-of-the-Woods College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At St Mary-of-the-Woods College, 50.6% receive a Pell Grant and 66.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming St Mary-of-the-Woods College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a St Mary-of-the-Woods College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, St Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates report a median income of $43,845, about 8% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| 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 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | 974 | 18 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales, NM | 965 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Degree Programs at St Mary-of-the-Woods College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary-of-the-Woods College Admissions
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,845/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is moderate, around $47,143/year; many students supplement with aid.
50.6% of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College's acceptance rate is 76.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students is 3.35, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.05 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.95 or below makes admission tougher at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 966, and within the 875–1070 range, keeps you competitive.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College 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 March 1, 2026. That's Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 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.