Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Hillsboro, Kansas
64.6% Acceptance Rate
Tabor College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
64.6%Acceptance Rate
3.23Avg GPA
1049Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$48,360Annual Cost
$54,058Grad Salary
37.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
64.6%
Avg GPA
3.23
Avg SAT
1049
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
830–1130
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Need-Based Aid
37.8% receive Pell
Tabor College Tabor College, founded in 1908 in Hillsboro, Kansas, is a private Christian college affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church. The 26-acre campus offers undergraduate programs in ministry, business, and health sciences with a focus on integrating faith and learning. Tabor maintains a 11:1 student-faculty ratio and is known for its strong music and athletics programs. Campus features include the new Shari Flaming Center for the Arts and the recently renovated Lohrenz Building. The college's athletic teams, the Bluejays, compete in NAIA sports.
Tabor takes pride in its Mennonite Brethren heritage and commitment to service and peacemaking. Campus life includes chapel services, mission opportunities, and student organizations focused on spiritual growth. The college has expanded its online programs while maintaining its residential Christian community. Recent initiatives include the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and upgraded science labs. Tabor's combination of academic programs, Christian environment, and small community creates a transformative educational experience.
Tabor College Acceptance Rate
Tabor College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 64.6% each year.
What TC Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 64.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.23 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.78
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Tabor College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Tabor 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
TC 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 (Competitive scholarship priority: 2027/02/01) 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.
TC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at TC is 3.23. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.93–3.23 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 3.43–3.63.TC 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
3.23 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.03 – 3.22
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.83 – 3.02
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.82
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate approximately 65% (Niche/BigFuture/IPEDS); test-optional; no application fee; apply at tabor.edu (not Common App); lifestyle covenant required at application (signed on application form, prohibiting alcohol, drugs, gambling, premarital sex); founded 1908; Mennonite Brethren Church affiliation.
- 4-1-4 academic calendar (four-month fall, one-month January term, four-month spring); first- and second-year students required to live on campus; 86-acre rural campus in Hillsboro, KS (~3,000 pop); ~50 miles north of Wichita; Wichita campus (business, ministry, nursing) since 1994.
- NAIA athletics (KCAC), 20 varsity sports; CCCU member (GlobalEd access); Mennonite Grant available for MCC-supporting church members; performance scholarships (band, drama, vocal) require audition; 100% of students receive some aid; average aid $29,669.
- US News #38 Regional Colleges Midwest; graduation rate approximately 34?47% (Niche/BigFuture - divergent; 47% IPEDS-sourced is most defensible); first-year retention ~66%; 15:1 student-faculty ratio; average net price ~$20,205; HLC accredited.
- 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 TC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Tabor College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Tabor College (TC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at TC. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into TC Without SAT or ACT?
TC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Tabor College Average SAT Score: 1049
Admitted students at Tabor College average a 1049 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1049 — Accessible
A 1049 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1130 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Tabor College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 830? A retake is worth it at TC. 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 | 490 | 410 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 490 | 420 | 560 |
| SAT Composite | 1049 | 830 | 1130 |
A score under 830 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1130+ 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 1050
Can I get into Tabor College (TC) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in TC'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.
Tabor College (TC) ACT Requirements
TC's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Tabor College with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of TC'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, TC 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 TC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
TC is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Sign the Lifestyle Covenant Before You Consider Applying
The lifestyle covenant is a formal document all Tabor College students sign on the back of the application for admission - it is not a campus policy you encounter after enrolling. The covenant prohibits alcohol, drugs, gambling, and premarital sex, applies on and off campus, and is enforced through a campus security culture that Niche reviewers consistently describe as strict. This is not informal culture guidance - it is a contractual commitment made at the point of application. Students who share the Mennonite Brethren values framework, or who are genuinely committed to these behavioral standards, thrive here. Students who underestimate the scope or enforceability of the covenant consistently find the campus environment more restrictive than anticipated. Read the actual covenant, not the college's marketing copy, before you sign.
Understand the Mennonite Brethren Identity - It Shapes More Than Chapel
Tabor is owned and operated by the Mennonite Brethren Church - a specific Anabaptist tradition with distinct emphases on peace, service, community accountability, and believer's baptism. This identity is not merely a historical artifact: it actively shapes the curriculum, campus culture, and the January term (a distinct one-month intensive embedded in the 4-1-4 academic calendar). The January term creates a genuine opportunity for mission trips, intensive service learning, and immersive study experiences that a conventional semester calendar doesn't accommodate as well. For students interested in cross-cultural ministry, international development, or service-oriented vocations, the Mennonite Brethren emphasis on global mission - including access to the MBMSI TREK program - is a concrete academic and vocational asset.
The Wichita Campus Expands Your Options Specifically
Tabor College has operated a campus in Wichita since 1994, offering programs in business administration, Christian ministry, and nursing. For students who need a Wichita-based learning option, or who are specifically interested in the nursing program at the urban location, the Wichita campus functions as a distinct enrollment pathway under the same Tabor institutional umbrella. Students considering Tabor for nursing should ask admissions directly whether their intended degree path is based in Hillsboro or Wichita, since the clinical placement environment and the campus life experience differ significantly between the two.
Apply Through the College's Own Site - and Be Ready to Live on Campus for Two Years
Tabor accepts applications through its own website (tabor.edu) rather than Common App, and there is no application fee. The application is straightforward for a school of Tabor's size, and admissions decisions are rolling. However, students should be aware before enrolling that first- and second-year students are required to live on campus - this is not optional, and it shapes the social and financial reality of the first two years. The campus is located in Hillsboro, Kansas, a town of approximately 3,000, roughly 50 miles north of Wichita. Students who need regular access to urban amenities or off-campus employment options will find the first two years more geographically limited than expected.
Expert Insight:
Tabor's graduation rate data diverges sharply by source: BigFuture/IPEDS reports 47%, while Niche reports 34% and CollegeHelpGuide reports 33?34%. The 47% figure is from the more complete IPEDS cohort and is more defensible for general use; the lower figures may reflect tighter tracking of specific cohort years. First-year retention is approximately 66%, meaning roughly one in three students who enrolls does not return for sophomore year - a meaningful signal about fit, academic preparedness, and the match between student expectations and the Hillsboro campus environment. For students whose enrollment decision rests on a specific major or program, ask the registrar directly for program-specific completion data.
TC Profile
Full Name
Tabor College (TC)
City
Hillsboro
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
67063-1799
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a TC Degree Worth It?
At $48,360/year against a $54,058 median graduate salary, TC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,500, and graduates see a 3.02% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from TC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $48,360/year at TC. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At TC, 37.8% receive a Pell Grant and 57.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming TC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a TC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, TC graduates report a median income of $54,058, about 33% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Tabor College. 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 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Tabor College. 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 Tabor College. 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 TC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About TC Admissions
Tabor College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $54,058/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Tabor College is moderate, around $48,360/year; many students supplement with aid.
37.8% of Tabor College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Tabor College's acceptance rate is 64.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Tabor College students is 3.23, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.93 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Tabor College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.83 or below makes admission tougher at Tabor College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Tabor College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1049, and within the 830–1130 range, keeps you competitive.
Tabor 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 Competitive scholarship priority: 2027/02/01. That's Tabor 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.