Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Standish, Maine
81.7% Acceptance Rate
Saint Joseph's College of Maine — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.7%Acceptance Rate
3Avg GPA
1030Avg SAT
$58,452Annual Cost
$59,045Grad Salary
20.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.7%
Avg GPA
3
Avg SAT
1030
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
910–1140
Need-Based Aid
20.1% receive Pell
Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution located on the shores of Sebago Lake. Known for its commitment to the Mercy tradition, the college emphasizes academic excellence, community service, and the development of the whole person. Offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong focus on online and professional education?the college provides a supportive environment that fosters intellectual and spiritual growth, preparing students for meaningful careers and service.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Acceptance Rate
Admission at Saint Joseph's College of Maine is inclusive by design. 81.7% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.00 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.55
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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
Saint Josephs College 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 (February 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.
Saint Josephs College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Saint Josephs College is 3. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.20–3.40.Saint Josephs College 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
3.00 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.60 – 2.79
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.59
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- SJC's #MakeMercyReal Challenge (TikTok-based, review period Oct 20, 2025?Jan 30, 2026) offers up to $1 million in full-ride scholarships (tuition, room, board) to up to four winners based on short compassion-themed videos.
- Nursing applicants need a 3.0+ GPA with a "B" or higher specifically in college-prep Biology, Chemistry, or Anatomy/Physiology (honors/AP need only a "C" or higher).
- A $1,500 visit scholarship (first-year only) is available to students who complete a campus visit and admissions interview during senior year.
- SJC has an active Data Incident/Class Action Settlement referenced on its own site, relevant to students or applicants whose data may have been affected.
- 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 Saint Josephs College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Saint Joseph's College of Maine'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.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Saint Josephs College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Saint Josephs College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Saint Josephs College Without SAT or ACT?
Saint Josephs College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Average SAT Score: 1030
Admitted students at Saint Joseph's College of Maine average a 1030 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1030 — Accessible
A 1030 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1140 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Joseph's College of Maine allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 910? A retake is worth it at Saint Josephs College. 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 | 500 | 440 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 525 | 470 | 580 |
| SAT Composite | 1030 | 910 | 1140 |
A score under 910 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1140+ 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Saint Josephs College) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Saint Josephs College'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Saint Josephs College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Saint Josephs College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Consider the #MakeMercyReal TikTok Challenge if you're a strong storyteller with a compassion story
SJC's #MakeMercyReal Challenge (review period October 20, 2025 through January 30, 2026) invites prospective first-year students to submit a 15-30 second TikTok video capturing a genuine moment of everyday compassion, with up to four winners receiving full-ride scholarships (tuition, room, and board). If you have a genuine, specific story of quiet compassion in action (not a polished "achievement" narrative), this is a real, current, and unusually accessible path to a full-ride award - confirm the current cycle's exact rules and deadline directly with admissions before filming, since specific eligibility details are posted on SJC's own site.
Meet the nursing-specific science GPA bar, separate from general admission
SJC's Nursing applicants need a 3.0+ GPA specifically with a "B" or higher in college-preparatory Biology, Chemistry, or Anatomy/Physiology (honors/AP courses need only a "C" or higher) - a distinct, higher bar layered on top of general admission requirements. If you're aiming for nursing, prioritize strong grades specifically in these named science courses rather than assuming your overall GPA alone satisfies the nursing-specific requirement.
Visit campus during senior year for a guaranteed $1,500 scholarship
SJC offers a $1,500 visit scholarship (valid only for your first year) to students who visit campus and complete an admissions interview during senior year - a concrete, guaranteed financial incentive tied to a specific action, not a competitive award. If you're able to travel to Standish, schedule your visit and interview deliberately during senior year to claim this scholarship, rather than treating a campus visit as optional.
Ask directly about the current status of the SJCME data incident settlement
SJC has an active Data Incident/Class Action Settlement referenced on its own site - a genuinely current institutional matter that affects current and former students/applicants whose data may have been involved. If you're concerned about data privacy or want to understand your rights as an applicant, ask admissions directly about the settlement's current status and any relevant claims process rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Expert Insight:
A specific and time-sensitive detail is that the #MakeMercyReal TikTok Challenge operates on a defined review window (October 20, 2025 through January 30, 2026) - a prospective student applying outside this specific window, or assuming the challenge is an ongoing, always-available scholarship option, should verify directly with SJC whether a similar challenge will run again for a later admission cycle rather than assuming this exact opportunity remains open indefinitely.
Saint Josephs College Profile
Full Name
Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Saint Josephs College)
City
Standish
State
Maine
ZIP Code
04084-5263
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Saint Josephs College Degree Worth It?
At $58,452/year against a $59,045 median graduate salary, Saint Josephs College 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 $64,000, and graduates see a 2.77% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Saint Josephs College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $58,452/year at Saint Josephs College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Saint Josephs College, 20.1% receive a Pell Grant and 59.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Saint Josephs College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Saint Josephs College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Saint Josephs College graduates report a median income of $59,045, about 45% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 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 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 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 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Joseph's College of Maine. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 1037 | 20 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 1025 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Joseph's College of Maine. 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 |
| 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 |
Degree Programs at Saint Josephs College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Josephs College Admissions
Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates earn a moderate median salary of $59,045/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Saint Joseph's College of Maine runs high, at roughly $58,452+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
20.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Saint Joseph's College of Maine skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine's acceptance rate is 81.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Saint Joseph's College of Maine students is 3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.7 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.6 or below makes admission tougher at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1030, and within the 910–1140 range, keeps you competitive.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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 February 1, 2026. That's Saint Joseph's College of Maine'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.