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 a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of Dillard University is 40.5%. This means that 41 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
- Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 40.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
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
⏳ 120 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. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.51-3.71 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.01 and 3.31, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Dillard University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Dillard University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.31, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- 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.
- The Rigor Metric: At Dillard University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board 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
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Dillard University Without SAT or ACT?
Dillard University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Dillard University Average SAT Score: 1089
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Dillard University is 1089 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1089 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1089 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1153 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Dillard University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 976, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Dillard University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is 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 |
It means that if you have scored less than 976 then you are below most of the admitted students at Dillard University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1153 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Dillard University with a 1150 SAT?
With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Dillard University are good but the admission staff at Dillard University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Dillard University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Dillard University is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This score makes Dillard University less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 21 on the ACT.
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 places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Dillard University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Dillard University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Dillard University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Dillard University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 23 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Dillard University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Dillard University, admissions officers seek reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to be a top-tier applicant to trigger both admission and high-value 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?
Getting into Dillard University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Dillard University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Dillard University is $51,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 5.18%.
How much does a degree from Dillard University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Dillard University is $36,057. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Dillard University is much less than this.
67.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 93 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Dillard University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Dillard University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Dillard University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Dillard University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $39,196. An average Dillard University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $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
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $39,196 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $36,057 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
67.8% of students at this university receive a Pell Grant — free money that does not need to be repaid. Your chances of need-based aid are strong. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible and list this institution as your choice to be considered for maximum aid.
The acceptance rate of Dillard University is 40.5% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.31. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.01, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.01, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.91 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.31, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Dillard University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1089 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 976–1153.
The application deadline for Dillard University is November 15 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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