Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
40.5% Acceptance Rate
Dillard University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
40.5%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1089Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$36,057Annual Cost
$39,196Grad Salary
67.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
40.5%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1089
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
976–1153
ACT Middle 50%
19–23
Need-Based Aid
67.8% receive Pell
Dillard University is a private, historically black liberal arts institution in New Orleans renowned for its academic rigor, leadership development, and commitment to social justice. With a long history of excellence, the university offers a wide range of programs in fields like nursing, business, and the humanities. Its vibrant campus community, dedicated faculty, and focus on holistic student success provide a transformative environment for students looking to earn a high-value degree and make a meaningful impact in their careers and communities.
Dillard University Acceptance Rate
Dillard University is selective but reasonable: about 40.5% of applicants (41 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Dillard University Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 40.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Dillard University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Dillard University is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 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.
Dillard University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Dillard University is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 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 3.51–3.71.Dillard University 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
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Dillard's University Scholarship (full ride) requires a 3.8+ GPA and 27+ ACT; the Presidential Scholarship (full tuition) requires a 3.67-3.799 GPA and 25-26 ACT - both awarded automatically through the general application, with a June 1 priority deadline for Fall to remain eligible.
- The Pre-Health Program includes an MCAT-optional early-acceptance pipeline to AT Still University's osteopathic medicine program (3.4 GPA by end of sophomore year, 50 clinical hours, B+ in prerequisites) and a dual-degree pathway with Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy.
- No personal essay or letters of recommendation are required for first-year admission if standard GPA/test criteria are met; below that, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a 3-5 paragraph personal statement.
- Starting 2025-26, Dillard partners with E. Ross Studios (New Orleans East) to offer six-week, non-degree filmmaking certificate programs on campus; the College of Nursing reported a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2021, and the Pre-Law Program reports a 93% law school acceptance rate.
- 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 Dillard University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Dillard 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.
Dillard University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Dillard University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Dillard University Without SAT or ACT?
Dillard University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Dillard University Average SAT Score: 1089
The average SAT score of admitted students at Dillard University is 1089 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1089 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1153 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Dillard 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 976, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Dillard 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 | 518 | 473 | 563 |
| SAT Reading | 547 | 503 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1089 | 976 | 1153 |
Below 976, you're behind most admitted students; at 1153 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 1100
Can I get into Dillard University with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Dillard 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.
Dillard University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Dillard University 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 | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 19 | 23 |
Can I get into Dillard University with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Dillard University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 Dillard University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Dillard University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Dillard University, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Hit the exact GPA/ACT bands for Dillard's top scholarship tiers - they're published, not a mystery
Dillard's University Scholarship (a full ride) requires a 3.8+ GPA and a 27+ ACT (or SAT equivalent); the Presidential Scholarship (full tuition) requires a 3.67-3.799 GPA and a 25-26 ACT. Both are awarded automatically through the general admissions application - no separate essay or interview needed if a student meets standard admission requirements - but only for students accepted by the June 1 priority deadline for Fall entry, so late applicants can lose eligibility for these top tiers even if their numbers qualify.
Target the AT Still University "Still Scholars" pathway for pre-med students who want to skip the MCAT
Dillard's Pre-Health Program includes an early-acceptance pipeline into AT Still University's osteopathic medicine program that doesn't require the MCAT - but it demands a 3.4 cumulative and science GPA by the end of sophomore year, a B or better in all prerequisite courses, and 50 hours of clinical experience already logged. A student aiming for this track needs to start clinical volunteering as a freshman, not wait until junior year, since the eligibility window closes at the end of sophomore year.
Consider the Xavier University College of Pharmacy dual-degree pathway for pharmacy-track students
Dillard maintains a dual-degree articulation with Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy - a rare direct pipeline between an HBCU liberal arts program and a top pharmacy school, worth flagging early for any student naming pharmacy as a career goal, since it changes how their pre-pharmacy coursework at Dillard should be sequenced.
Point film/media-interested students toward the new E. Ross Studios certificate partnership
Starting the 2025-26 school year, Dillard partners with E. Ross Studios (built on the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East, backed by Louisiana's film tax credit incentives) to offer non-degree, six-week filmmaking certificate programs on campus - a genuinely current, industry-tied opportunity a student with media/film interest should mention directly in their essay or interview, since it's new enough that most applicants won't know to ask about it.
Expert Insight:
Don't let a family assume Dillard's scholarship tiers are need-based or discretionary - the University and Presidential Scholarships are hard GPA/ACT cutoffs awarded automatically through the general application, so a student who is 0.01 GPA point or one ACT point below a tier genuinely does not receive it regardless of essay quality, financial need, or extracurriculars; the only lever is the number itself, so retaking the ACT before the June 1 priority deadline is worth far more than polishing any other part of the application.
Dillard University Profile
Full Name
Dillard University
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70122
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Dillard University Degree Worth It?
Dillard 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 $51,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.18%.
How much does a degree from Dillard University Cost?
The sticker price is $36,057/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
67.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 93% take federal loans at Dillard University — file your FAFSA early and list Dillard University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Dillard University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $39,196 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Dillard University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Dillard University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Dillard University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Dillard University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Dillard University Admissions
Median earnings for Dillard University graduates sit around $39,196 a year.
Dillard University costs roughly $36,057 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
With 67.8% of Dillard University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Dillard University is the key move.
At 40.5%, Dillard University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Dillard University average a 3.31 GPA.
Dillard University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, Dillard 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 Dillard University — aim above 1089, ideally within the 976–1153 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Dillard University is November 15 for Early Action applicants.
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.
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