Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Louisville, Kentucky
98.6% Acceptance Rate
Spalding University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.6%Acceptance Rate
3.87Avg GPA
1014Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$43,474Annual Cost
$49,438Grad Salary
35.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.6%
Avg GPA
3.87
Avg SAT
1014
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
853–1103
ACT Middle 50%
16–22
Need-Based Aid
35.6% receive Pell
Spalding University is a private, Catholic institution in Kentucky that emphasizes the integration of faith, academic excellence, and professional preparation. 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 to thrive in a small, supportive learning environment where mentorship is prioritized.
Successful applicants should emphasize their participation in community service, athletics, or student leadership roles, as these reflect the university's mission of preparing students for service and leadership. A strong personal statement should discuss how the student's personal and professional goals align with the university's commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. The admissions committee values applicants who show maturity and a clear, thoughtful approach to their future career and academic development within a community-centered environment.
Spalding University Acceptance Rate
Spalding University (Spalding) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 98.6% 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 — 98.6% 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).
Spalding University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Spalding 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
Spalding 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.
Spalding GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Spalding 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.Spalding 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
- Automatic admission is available via 2.50+ GPA (or GED 50+) with 20 ACT/950 SAT, or 3.00+ GPA test-optional - first-year applicants face no essay and no recommendation letter requirement.
- All coursework runs on a 6-week block schedule (one or two classes per block, then a 1-week break) rather than a standard semester - a structural difference that affects pacing, not just calendar length.
- Transfer students can bring up to 90 credits via block transfer, with a free pre-enrollment transcript evaluation.
- Spalding was founded in 1814 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and is known academically for Nursing and for its Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy, including a Post-Professional OTD with trimester entry and an OTD/MBA dual-degree track.
- 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 Spalding
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Spalding 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.
Spalding University (Spalding) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Spalding is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Spalding Without SAT or ACT?
Spalding considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Spalding University Average SAT Score: 1014
The average SAT score of admitted students at Spalding University is 1014 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1014 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1103 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Spalding 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 853, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Spalding. 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 | 479 | 425 | 533 |
| SAT Reading | 499 | 428 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1014 | 853 | 1103 |
Below 853, you're behind most admitted students; at 1103 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 1000
Can I get into Spalding University (Spalding) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Spalding'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.
Spalding University (Spalding) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Spalding is 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT English | 18 | 14 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 16 | 22 |
Can I get into Spalding University with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Spalding'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 Spalding.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Spalding
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Spalding's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Hit the automatic-admission thresholds and skip the essay entirely
Spalding grants automatic admission with a 2.50+ cumulative GPA (or GED of 50+) paired with a 20 ACT or 950 SAT combined, OR a 3.00+ GPA under test-optional review - and first-year applicants face no personal essay and no letter of recommendation requirement at all. A student with a GPA under 3.0 should specifically target the 20 ACT / 950 SAT combined threshold rather than agonizing over supplemental writing that Spalding doesn't even ask for; effort is far better spent on a single retest than on essay polish here.
Plan coursework around the 6-week block schedule, not a standard semester
Spalding runs on a block schedule: students take one or two classes per 6-week term followed by a 1-week break, rather than the standard 15-week semester most applicants expect. A student coming from a traditional high school schedule should ask admissions specifically how course load and financial aid disbursement work under this compressed block system before committing to a course sequence, since study pacing and drop/add timelines are compressed relative to a typical semester and catch transfer students off guard.
Use the up-to-90-credit block transfer if coming from another institution
Spalding allows block transfer of up to 90 credits with a free transcript evaluation completed before enrollment - a materially generous transfer allowance most comparably-sized private universities don't match. A transfer applicant should request the free transcript evaluation as an explicit, named service at the point of application (not simply submit transcripts and wait), since getting the evaluation done pre-enrollment lets a student see exactly how close they are to junior/senior standing before paying a cent in tuition.
OT-track applicants: know the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy's distinct doctoral pathway
Spalding's Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy offers a Post-Professional OTD that licensed OT practitioners can start at the beginning of any trimester, including a dual OTD/MBA option aimed at healthcare entrepreneurship and leadership. A current or aspiring OT practitioner should ask specifically about trimester entry points and the dual-degree option by name, since these aren't part of the standard undergraduate application cycle and are easy to miss if a student only researches Spalding's undergraduate admissions page.
Expert Insight:
Because Spalding's overall acceptance rate sits near 90?99% and requires no essay for first-year applicants, families sometimes treat the application as a pure formality - but the 6-week block schedule format means a single missed week or slow start in any one block compounds fast, unlike a traditional semester where there's more room to recover. Students used to a traditional academic pace should be warned explicitly about this before their first block begins, not after they've already fallen behind.
Spalding Profile
Full Name
Spalding University (Spalding)
City
Louisville
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40203-2188
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Spalding Degree Worth It?
Spalding 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 $55,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.35%.
How much does a degree from Spalding Cost?
The sticker price is $43,474/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
35.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.4% take federal loans at Spalding. File your FAFSA early and list Spalding as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Spalding Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,438. That's about 22% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Spalding University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
| Life University | Marietta, GA | 994 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Spalding University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Spalding University. 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 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Spalding
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Spalding Admissions
Median earnings for Spalding University graduates sit around $49,438 a year.
Spalding University costs roughly $43,474 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 35.6% receive a Pell Grant at Spalding University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 98.6%, Spalding University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Spalding University average a 3.87 GPA.
Spalding 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, Spalding 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 Spalding University — aim above 1014, ideally within the 853–1103 range admitted students typically fall in.
Spalding 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.
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