Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Leavenworth, Kansas
89.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Saint Mary — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.8%Acceptance Rate
3.36Avg GPA
1047Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$45,313Annual Cost
$59,483Grad Salary
36.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.8%
Avg GPA
3.36
Avg SAT
1047
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
926–1093
ACT Middle 50%
18–24
Need-Based Aid
36.9% receive Pell
University of Saint Mary is a private, Catholic liberal arts university in Kansas known for its focus on professional preparation and values-based education. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, potential for campus contribution, and alignment with the university's mission. The university seeks well-rounded individuals who are ready for a small, supportive learning environment that emphasizes mentorship.
Successful applicants should emphasize their participation in community service, athletics, or student government. A strong personal statement should discuss how the student's personal and professional goals align with the university's commitment to service and leadership. The admissions committee values applicants who show maturity and a clear, thoughtful approach to their future career and academic development.
University of Saint Mary Acceptance Rate
University of Saint Mary (University of St Mary) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 89.8% 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 — 89.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.91
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Saint Mary Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Saint Mary 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
University of St Mary 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 (December 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.
University of St Mary GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of St Mary is 3.36. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.06–3.36 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.56–3.76.University of St Mary 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
3.36 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.96 – 3.15
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.95
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Jubilee Scholarship (full tuition, room, and board) requires meeting only 2 of 3 criteria: ACT 26+, 3.7 unweighted GPA, or top 10% class rank; full-time residential students only.
- Midwest Student Exchange Program offers discounted private-institution tuition to residents of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
- BEST Scholars program funds STEM teacher licensure (Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics) in exchange for a four-year teaching commitment in a high-need district; requires a dedicated essay on wanting to become a STEM teacher.
- Several named scholarships (Bruner, Christian ministry, Hoferer Reilly Nursing) require short essays (as little as 250 words) plus outside recommendation letters submitted separately from the general application.
- 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 University of St Mary
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Saint Mary'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.
University of Saint Mary (University of St Mary) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of St Mary is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of St Mary Without SAT or ACT?
University of St Mary considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Saint Mary Average SAT Score: 1047
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Saint Mary is 1047 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1047 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1093 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Saint Mary allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 926, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of St Mary. 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 | 506 | 478 | 533 |
| SAT Reading | 504 | 448 | 560 |
| SAT Composite | 1047 | 926 | 1093 |
Below 926, you're behind most admitted students; at 1093 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 1050
Can I get into University of Saint Mary (University of St Mary) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of St Mary'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.
University of Saint Mary (University of St Mary) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of St Mary is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT English | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 24 |
Can I get into University of Saint Mary with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of St Mary'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 University of St Mary.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of St Mary
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into University of St Mary isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Target the Jubilee Scholarship With Exact Threshold Math
USM's full-tuition, room, and board Jubilee Scholarship only requires meeting 2 of 3 criteria - ACT 26+, unweighted 3.7 GPA, or top 10% class rank - not all three. A student short on one metric (say, class rank in a large competitive school) should focus energy on locking in the other two rather than assuming disqualification; it's a residential, full-time-only award, so commuters don't qualify.
Use the BEST Scholars Pathway If STEM Teaching Is Even a Possibility
USM's BEST Scholars program leads to 6-12 Initial Teacher licensure in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics and requires an essay specifically on why the candidate wants to become a STEM teacher, plus background screening and an interview - in exchange, graduates commit to four years teaching in a high-need district with two years of continued USM support. It's a distinct application separate from general admission, worth pursuing even for a student only "maybe" interested in teaching.
Layer the Midwest Student Exchange Discount for Regional Residents
Residents of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin may qualify for a reduced private-institution tuition rate through the Midwest Student Exchange Program - separate from, and stackable with, USM's academic scholarships. Confirm MSEP eligibility with admissions before assuming sticker price applies.
Match Niche Scholarships to Specific Life Circumstances
USM's Bruner Scholarship gives explicit preference to candidates from foster care or residential care agencies, or those who attended Cristo Rey Kansas City, Mott Haven Academy, or Ozanam - a narrow eligibility net many students overlook. The Christian ministry scholarship (250-word essay plus a pastor/youth minister recommendation) and the Hoferer Reilly Nursing Scholarship (BSN juniors/seniors, 3.5 term GPA) similarly reward specific profiles rather than general merit - check every named scholarship's fine print rather than skipping ones that sound irrelevant.
Expert Insight:
Because USM stacks several small, narrowly-targeted scholarships (Bruner, BEST Scholars, Hoferer Reilly Nursing, Christian ministry) alongside the broader Jubilee award, students often apply only for the big, obvious Jubilee Scholarship and miss smaller awards they'd actually qualify for - several requiring a short essay or an outside recommendation letter (from a pastor or youth minister, for instance) that must be requested and submitted separately from the general application.
University of St Mary Profile
Full Name
University of Saint Mary (University of St Mary)
City
Leavenworth
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66048-5082
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of St Mary Degree Worth It?
University of St Mary 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 $62,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.13%.
How much does a degree from University of St Mary Cost?
The sticker price is $45,313/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
36.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.5% take federal loans at University of St Mary. File your FAFSA early and list University of St Mary as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of St Mary Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,483. That's about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Saint Mary. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Saint Mary. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Saint Mary. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
Degree Programs at University of St Mary
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of St Mary Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Saint Mary run about $59,483 a year.
University of Saint Mary costs roughly $45,313 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 36.9% receive a Pell Grant at University of Saint Mary. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 89.8%, University of Saint Mary's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Saint Mary average a 3.36 GPA.
University of Saint Mary doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.06 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.96, University of Saint Mary 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 University of Saint Mary — aim above 1047, ideally within the 926–1093 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of Saint Mary follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 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.