Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Louisville, Kentucky
93.6% Acceptance Rate
Bellarmine University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
93.6%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1208Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$60,247Annual Cost
$62,069Grad Salary
25%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.6%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1208
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1075–1243
ACT Middle 50%
22–28
Need-Based Aid
25% receive Pell
Bellarmine University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Kentucky that prides itself on providing a high-quality, rigorous academic experience with an emphasis on personal mentorship. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, evidence of intellectual curiosity, and potential to contribute to a vibrant, service-oriented campus community. The university seeks individuals who are ready to engage in deep inquiry and prepare for successful careers through a broad liberal arts foundation.
Prospective students should highlight their participation in extracurricular activities that foster leadership or community impact. Demonstrating a proactive approach to learning such as pursuing additional research or engaging in relevant volunteer work can significantly strengthen an application. A successful personal statement reflects a clear understanding of how the university's mission-focused and values-centered academic environment will prepare the student for their specific career aspirations.
Bellarmine University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Bellarmine University is inclusive by design: 93.6% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 93.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bellarmine University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Bellarmine University (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 127 days left — Early Action
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 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.
Bellarmine University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bellarmine University is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 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 3.62–3.82.Bellarmine University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Private Catholic university in Louisville, KY (Highlands neighborhood); test-optional, no application fee, rolling admission, Early Action Nov 1 (November scholarship notice), Honors/scholarship deadline Dec 1, priority Feb 1; ~2.5 minimum HS GPA with a ~3.7 admitted median.
- Every incoming first-year receives a merit scholarship; five Bellarmine Scholar (four-year full ride) and five Bellarmine Fellow (four-year full tuition) awards add a study-abroad stipend and Honors enrollment but require admission before December 1 to apply.
- Public Price Promise caps tuition/fees/room/board at the applicant's home-state flagship rate (out-of-state matched to University of Kentucky), fixed four years and requiring full-time on-campus enrollment; HOPE Kentucky Scholars allows Pell/state-aid-eligible Kentuckians to attend tuition-free.
- Distinctive: LEAP / Direct-to-DPT early assurance to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (accepted students average 3.75 GPA / 28 ACT); Bridge to BU free residential summer conditional-admit program; Knights to Nurses and a Dual Credit Institute at Kentucky's $93/credit dual-credit rate.
- 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 Bellarmine University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Bellarmine University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Bellarmine University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Bellarmine University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Bellarmine University Without SAT or ACT?
Bellarmine University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bellarmine University Average SAT Score: 1208
Admitted students at Bellarmine University average a 1208 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1208 — Slightly Competitive
A 1208 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1243 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bellarmine University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1075? A retake is worth it at Bellarmine University — 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 | 585 | 540 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 574 | 535 | 613 |
| SAT Composite | 1208 | 1075 | 1243 |
A score under 1075 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1243+ 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 1200
Can I get into Bellarmine University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Bellarmine University'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.
Bellarmine University ACT Requirements
Bellarmine University's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 28 |
Can I get into Bellarmine University with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of Bellarmine University'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, 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, Bellarmine University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bellarmine University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Bellarmine University is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Chase the LEAP / Direct-to-DPT Early Assurance Seat With a 3.75 and a 28 ACT
Bellarmine's standout pathway is its Launch to PT (LEAP) / Direct-to-DPT early assurance program, which reserves a Doctor of Physical Therapy seat for high school seniors who then apply after their sophomore or junior year - bypassing the brutal national PTCAS competition later. The bar is specific: accepted students average a 3.75 unweighted cumulative GPA and a 28 ACT (or 1250 SAT), and you must first be admitted to Bellarmine, then selected by committee. If PT is your goal, present those metrics up front, apply early, and treat LEAP as the real prize - Bellarmine houses PT in its School of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences and the standard DPT still requires the GRE and a competitive PTCAS application, so the reserved seat is enormously valuable.
Compete for a Bellarmine Scholar or Fellow Full-Ride by the December 1 Deadline
Bellarmine's top awards are highly structured and deadline-gated: five Bellarmine Scholar Awards give a four-year full ride and five Bellarmine Fellow Awards give four years of full tuition, both bundled with a study-abroad stipend and Honors Program enrollment - but you must be admitted before December 1 to be eligible to apply. Layer this over the fact that every incoming first-year already receives a merit scholarship. The move: apply Early Action by November 1 (no fee, November scholarship notification), get admitted ahead of the December 1 Honors deadline, and prepare a genuine Honors-caliber application, since these full-ride awards flow through that competitive process rather than automatic stats-based aid.
Run the Public Price Promise and HOPE Kentucky Math Before You Commit
Bellarmine's affordability tools can rival a public university and are eligibility-driven, so calculate them early. The Public Price Promise caps your tuition, fees, room and board at the published cost of your home state's flagship university (out-of-state and international students get matched to the University of Kentucky rate), fixed for all four years. Kentucky residents who are Pell- and state-aid-eligible can attend tuition-free through HOPE Kentucky Scholars. Because 100% of admitted students receive aid (averaging over $33,000), the sticker price is rarely real - so confirm your flagship-match rate and HOPE eligibility with admissions before deciding, and note the promise requires full-time enrollment and living on campus.
Use Bridge to BU and Knights to Nurses as Access On-Ramps, Not Fallbacks
Bellarmine deliberately builds access pathways that stronger-fit-than-stats applicants should use strategically. Students who don't meet standard admission criteria can earn full admission through Bridge to BU, a free four-week residential summer program. Nursing-bound high school seniors can build candidacy through the Knights to Nurses Career Ready program, and Kentucky high schoolers can bank credit via the Dual Credit Institute at the state's $93/credit-hour dual-credit rate. If your GPA sits below the ~3.7 admitted median but your drive is real, name these programs directly; completing Bridge to BU converts conditional admission into a full fall seat, and dual credit strengthens both your transcript and your nursing or health-science trajectory.
Expert Insight:
Bellarmine's broad ~66-94% acceptance rate (sources vary widely) makes general admission look easy, but its most valuable pathways are gated and stat-sensitive. The LEAP/Direct-to-DPT early assurance seat effectively requires a 3.75 GPA and 28 ACT and is committee-selected, and the Bellarmine Scholar/Fellow full-rides require admission before December 1 to even apply. Equally, the Public Price Promise is conditional - it requires full-time enrollment and on-campus residence, is fixed at your matriculation-year flagship rate, and is voided if your other aid already beats the flagship cost. Students who apply late or assume these benefits are automatic can lose the reserved PT seat, the full-ride window, or the price match.
Bellarmine University Profile
Full Name
Bellarmine University
City
Louisville
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40205-0671
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Bellarmine University Degree Worth It?
Whether Bellarmine University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $65,600, and graduates see a 2.67% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Bellarmine University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $60,247/year at Bellarmine University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Bellarmine University, 25% receive a Pell Grant and 52.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Bellarmine University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Bellarmine University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Bellarmine University graduates report a median income of $62,069, about 53% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bellarmine 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 Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bellarmine University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bellarmine University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Bellarmine University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bellarmine University Admissions
Bellarmine University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $62,069/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Bellarmine University runs high — roughly $60,247+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
25.0% of Bellarmine University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Bellarmine University's acceptance rate is 93.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Bellarmine University students is 3.42, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.12 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Bellarmine University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.02 or below makes admission tougher at Bellarmine University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Bellarmine University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1208, and within the 1075–1243 range, keeps you competitive.
Bellarmine University's deadline is December 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Bellarmine University'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.
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