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
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 76.1%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
St Mary-of-the-Woods College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St Mary-of-the-Woods College is 3.35. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.55-3.75 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.05 and 3.35, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
St Mary-of-the-Woods College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at St Mary-of-the-Woods College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.35, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- 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.
- The Rigor Metric: At St Mary-of-the-Woods College, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at St Mary-of-the-Woods College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College'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.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into St Mary-of-the-Woods College Without SAT or ACT?
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Average SAT Score: 966
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is 966 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 966 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 966 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1070 SAT or 18 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 875, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at St Mary-of-the-Woods College. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
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 |
It means that if you have scored less than 875 then you are below most of the admitted students at St Mary-of-the-Woods College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1070 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
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?
With a 1050 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) are good but the admission staff at St Mary-of-the-Woods College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St Mary-of-the-Woods College) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at St Mary-of-the-Woods College is 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
This score makes Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College an easy target for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 17 on the ACT.
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?
A 18 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 18 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for St Mary-of-the-Woods College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
St Mary-of-the-Woods College is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
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?
Getting into St Mary-of-the-Woods College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. St Mary-of-the-Woods College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at St Mary-of-the-Woods College is $56,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.24%.
How much does a degree from St Mary-of-the-Woods College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is $47,143. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is much less than this.
50.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 66.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to St Mary-of-the-Woods College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist St Mary-of-the-Woods College as your choice in the form.
How much does a St Mary-of-the-Woods College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $43,845. An average St Mary-of-the-Woods College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
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
Full list of all degree programs offered by Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College →
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary-of-the-Woods College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $43,845 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $47,143 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
50.6% of students at this university receive a Pell Grant — free money that does not need to be repaid. Your chances of need-based aid are strong. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible and list this institution as your choice to be considered for maximum aid.
The acceptance rate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is 76.1% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.35. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.05, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.05, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.95 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.35, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 966 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 875–1070.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.