Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Angola, Indiana
84.7% Acceptance Rate
Trine University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.7%Acceptance Rate
3.51Avg GPA
1135Avg SAT
$50,004Annual Cost
$57,165Grad Salary
15.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.7%
Avg GPA
3.51
Avg SAT
1135
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1095–1165
Need-Based Aid
15.6% receive Pell
Trine University is a private institution in Indiana renowned for its focus on engineering, technology, and applied sciences. Through its commitment to high-impact, career-oriented education, the university provides hands-on learning experiences and strong industry connections, preparing students for professional success in a rapidly evolving global market.
Trine University Acceptance Rate
Trine University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 84.7% 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
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.06
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Trine University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Trine 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
Trine 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 (Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01) 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.
Trine University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Trine University is 3.51. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.21 and 3.51? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.71–3.91.Trine University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.11 – 3.30
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.10
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Private nonprofit in Angola, IN, founded 1884 with an engineering school dating to 1902 (ABET-accredited; nationally recognized biomedical engineering); ~90%+ acceptance, free application, no essay required, test-optional, rolling decisions in ~2?3 weeks.
- Direct Entry health pathways guarantee graduate seats to qualifying freshmen - notably just 20 first-come PA (MPAS) seats per year via 3+2.5 or 4+2.5 tracks (requires ~200 healthcare hours and a Trine bachelor's) - plus direct entry to DPT and OTD.
- Accelerated structures: "Three-Year Full Throttle" bachelor's, Four-Plus-One bachelor's+master's, dual enrollment and Project Lead the Way credit; ~99% reported placement and a four-part Lifetime Guarantee including on-time graduation.
- Graduate health programs (MPAS, DPT, OTD) are based in Fort Wayne, not on the Angola campus; the MPAS launched in 2018 under provisional ARC-PA accreditation - confirm current accreditation and campus/cost details before committing.
- 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 Trine University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Trine University's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Trine University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Trine University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Trine University Without SAT or ACT?
Trine University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Trine University Average SAT Score: 1135
The average SAT score of admitted students at Trine University is 1135 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1135 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Trine 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 1095, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Trine 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1095 | 1165 |
Below 1095, you're behind most admitted students; at 1165 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 1150
Can I get into Trine University with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Trine 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Trine University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Trine University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply Free and Essay-Free, but Front-Load Grades for Scholarship Tiers
Trine's traditional undergraduate application is free, essay-optional, and test-optional, with decisions in about 2?3 weeks on unofficial transcripts - so there's no reason to delay. But because Trine is rolling and merit awards are tied to your academic record (SAT ~1030+ helps scholarships even though it's optional, and admitted GPAs cluster around 3.5), the leverage is applying early with your strongest grades locked in. Early applicants learn their scholarship, grant, and aid package sooner and get first pick of residence-hall rooms. Send unofficial transcripts immediately to trigger a fast decision and an early financial-aid offer, then submit officials before enrollment.
Target Direct-Entry Health Seats - Especially the 20 PA Slots - as a Freshman
Trine's most valuable hidden pathways are its Direct Entry health-profession programs, which reserve guaranteed graduate seats for incoming freshmen. The Master of Physician Assistant Studies holds just 20 Direct Entry seats per year, filled first-come, first-served via a 3+2.5 (accelerated) or 4+2.5 track, requiring a Trine bachelor's, ~200 hours of healthcare experience, and maintained standards; similar direct-entry guarantees exist for the DPT and OTD through the Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. If health professions are your goal, apply as a freshman specifically for Direct Entry the moment applications open - waiting means competing later through CASPA against a national pool for the same program.
Use the Accelerated Degree Paths to Cut Time and Cost
Trine is built for speed, and choosing the right structure up front is a strategy in itself. The "Three-Year Full Throttle" path compresses a bachelor's into three years; the Four-Plus-One earns a bachelor's and master's in five; and Direct Entry combines undergrad with a professional doctorate. Pair these with dual-enrollment and Project Lead the Way credit earned in high school to shave semesters and tuition. Decide your acceleration track before you enroll and tell your admission counselor, because the course sequencing (especially in engineering) has to be planned from the first semester to make three-year or 4+1 timelines work.
Lean on the Lifetime Guarantee and Engineering Heritage in Your Decision
Trine backs its career-focused model with a four-part Lifetime Guarantee - including a promise of on-time graduation and lifetime access to career services and free audited return courses for alumni - reinforced by a reported ~99% placement rate and an engineering school dating to 1902 with ABET accreditation and a nationally recognized biomedical engineering program. For engineering and health-science applicants, this outcomes guarantee is the real differentiator versus larger public schools. In interviews and your counselor conversations, signal that you chose Trine for its guaranteed-outcomes, hands-on model; it aligns you with exactly what the university markets and funds.
Expert Insight:
Trine's ~90%+ acceptance rate and no-essay application make undergraduate admission easy, but that ease does not extend to its guaranteed health-profession pipelines: the PA Direct Entry program holds only 20 seats filled first-come, first-served, and missing that freshman window forces you into the far more competitive national CASPA applicant pool later. Also verify program accreditation status before committing to a specific health track (the MPAS launched in 2018 under provisional ARC-PA accreditation), and note the professional programs are based in Fort Wayne, not on the Angola campus - a location and cost detail applicants routinely overlook.
Trine University Profile
Full Name
Trine University
City
Angola
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
46703-1764
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Trine University Degree Worth It?
Trine University 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 $60,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3%.
How much does a degree from Trine University Cost?
The sticker price is $50,004/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
15.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 40.8% take federal loans at Trine University — file your FAFSA early and list Trine University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Trine University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $57,165 — about 41% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Trine University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Trine University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Trine 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 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Trine University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Trine University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Trine University run about $57,165 a year.
At about $50,004 a year, Trine University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Trine University's Pell Grant rate of 15.6% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 84.7%, Trine University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Trine University average a 3.51 GPA.
Trine University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.21 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.11, Trine 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 Trine University — aim above 1135, ideally within the 1095–1165 range admitted students typically fall in.
Trine University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01. 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.