Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Upland, Indiana
76.1% Acceptance Rate
Taylor University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
76.1%Acceptance Rate
3.87Avg GPA
1232Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$51,879Annual Cost
$52,198Grad Salary
13.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
76.1%
Avg GPA
3.87
Avg SAT
1232
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1340
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Need-Based Aid
13.1% receive Pell
Taylor University is a private, Christian liberal arts institution in Indiana known for its academic rigor, commitment to faith, and strong focus on community. With a history of preparing students for leadership and service, the university fosters an environment that encourages intellectual and spiritual development. Its emphasis on being a "community of intentional learning" makes it a top-tier choice for students seeking an immersive and meaningful academic experience.
Taylor University Acceptance Rate
Taylor University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 76.1% 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. 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
3.87 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.67 – 3.86
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.42
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Taylor University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Taylor University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Taylor 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.
Early Action
November 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) 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.
Taylor University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Taylor University is 3.87. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.57 and 3.87, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
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 4.07–4.27.Taylor University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.87 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.67 – 3.86
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.47 – 3.66
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.46
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Private, non-denominational Christian university in Upland, IN; NAIA Crossroads Conference; test-preferred but flexible (SAT, ACT, or CLT accepted).
- Required components include a personal faith story, affirmation of the Life Together Covenant, and a Christian character reference, in addition to standard transcripts.
- Campus visit and personal interview are essential to the decision; decisions typically arrive within a month of a completed file.
- 100% of students, faculty, and staff make a profession of faith; roughly 80% of students study abroad and 97% are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation.
- 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 Taylor University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Taylor University'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.
Taylor University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Taylor University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Taylor University Without SAT or ACT?
Taylor University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Taylor University Average SAT Score: 1232
The average SAT score of admitted students at Taylor University is 1232 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1232 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Taylor University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1070, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Taylor University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 600 | 530 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 540 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1232 | 1070 | 1340 |
Below 1070, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Taylor University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Taylor University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Taylor University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Taylor University is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT English | 27 | 22 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Taylor University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Taylor University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Taylor University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Taylor University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Taylor University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Write the faith story with real specificity
Taylor requires an account of how you came to faith and what God is doing in your life now - submitted as a document or shared live with a counselor. Treat it with the same weight as a personal statement, not as an add-on.
Secure a genuine Christian character reference
This is a distinct required credential, separate from standard teacher or counselor recommendations. Identify a pastor, mentor, or ministry leader who can speak specifically to character and faith, not just classroom performance.
Choose ACT, SAT, or CLT deliberately
Taylor accepts the Classical Learning Test as an equal option alongside SAT/ACT - unusual among peer schools. Students strong in classical or humanities coursework may score more competitively on the CLT than on a standard test.
Treat the interview as a real decision input
Taylor lists a campus visit and personal interview as essential to the process. Schedule it early and prepare to discuss your faith commitment and the Life Together Covenant specifically, not just academics.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes submit a strong academic file with a thin or vague faith story, assuming Taylor's Christian identity is a soft formality. It isn't - the Statement of Faith and Life Together Covenant affirmation are substantive requirements tied to a real community covenant, and a generic response here can weaken an otherwise strong application.
Taylor University Profile
Full Name
Taylor University
City
Upland
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46989-1001
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Taylor University Degree Worth It?
At $51,879/year against a $52,198 median graduate salary, Taylor University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $68,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.94%.
How much does a degree from Taylor University Cost?
The sticker price is $51,879/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
13.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 32.6% take federal loans at Taylor University. File your FAFSA early and list Taylor University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Taylor University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $52,198. That's about 29% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Taylor University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Taylor University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | 1223 | 26 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Taylor University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
Degree Programs at Taylor University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Taylor University run about $52,198 a year.
At about $51,879 a year, Taylor University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Taylor University's Pell Grant rate of 13.1% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 76.1%, Taylor University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Taylor University average a 3.87 GPA.
Taylor University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.57 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.47, Taylor University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Taylor University — aim above 1232, ideally within the 1070–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Taylor University is November 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). 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.