Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frostburg, Maryland
89.4% Acceptance Rate
Frostburg State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.4%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
$26,500Annual Cost
$55,493Grad Salary
32.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.4%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1090
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1120
Avg Net Price
$15,323
Need-Based Aid
32.9% receive Pell
Frostburg State University is a public institution in Maryland that emphasizes experiential learning and community engagement. Admissions focus on academic performance in a college-preparatory curriculum. The university seeks students who demonstrate a commitment to their studies and are eager to participate in its small-campus environment, which fosters close faculty-student collaboration.
Successful applicants often showcase a consistent academic record and participation in extracurricular activities that reflect leadership or community service. Demonstrating a clear interest in the university's specific degree programs and explaining how these align with personal career goals is a recommended strategy to show institutional fit.
Frostburg State University Acceptance Rate
Frostburg State University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 89.4% 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 — 89.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Frostburg State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Frostburg State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 181 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Frostburg State University 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.
Priority
February 1
💡 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.
Frostburg State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Frostburg State University is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.70–3.90.Frostburg State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Frostburg's optional personal statement includes a specific prompt track for talent-based majors (music, theatre, art), asking students to discuss their talent's discovery and development plans.
- FSU Foundation scholarship applications carry a March 1 priority deadline but continue to be accepted until August 1.
- A number of Foundation scholarships are geographically restricted to residents of specific neighboring counties in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia, reflecting Frostburg's tri-state Appalachian border location.
- The "Reach" out-of-state tuition reduction is unavailable to students already converted to in-state through other means; Recreation and Parks Management and Wildlife & Fisheries are notably strong programs tied to the Appalachian outdoor setting.
- 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 Frostburg State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Frostburg State University's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Frostburg State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Frostburg State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Frostburg State University Without SAT or ACT?
Frostburg State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Frostburg State University Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of admitted students at Frostburg State University is 1090 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Frostburg State 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 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Frostburg State 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1050 | 1120 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1120 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 Frostburg State University with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Frostburg State 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Frostburg State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Frostburg State University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Choose the talent-based prompt if you're an arts-bound applicant
Frostburg's optional personal statement includes a specific prompt track for students pursuing talent-based areas of study like music, theatre, or art, asking them to discuss when and how they discovered their talent and how they intend to develop it. Choose this specific prompt rather than a generic essay topic, since it's designed to let admissions readers evaluate talent-based intent even without a formal audition or portfolio requirement.
Apply for Foundation scholarships even after March 1
FSU Foundation scholarship applications carry a March 1 priority deadline but continue to be accepted until August 1. If you miss the March 1 priority date, still apply through the summer rather than assuming the opportunity has closed - a large share of FSU's hundreds of named scholarships remain genuinely open for months afterward.
Search Frostburg's scholarship list by your specific home county
A number of FSU Foundation scholarships are restricted to residents of specific neighboring counties in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia (for example, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, and Somerset in PA; Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan in WV; Loudoun in VA). If you're from this tri-state border region, search the scholarship list by your home county specifically, since these targeted awards are easy to overlook in a general search.
Know Reach doesn't stack with other in-state conversions
FSU's Reach program can reduce out-of-state tuition toward the in-state rate, but is explicitly unavailable to students whose tuition residency has already been converted to in-state through other means, such as the Academic Common Market or certain VA education benefits and tuition waivers. Understand these programs are mutually exclusive with Reach eligibility, not stackable on top of it.
Expert Insight:
Because FSU scholarship terms require that no student's total combined aid exceed the university's published Cost of Attendance, a student who successfully stacks multiple FSU Foundation scholarships, state grants, and federal aid can have one or more of those awards reduced or cancelled automatically once the combined total crosses that ceiling - don't assume every scholarship you're separately awarded will be paid out in full.
Frostburg State University Profile
Full Name
Frostburg State University
City
Frostburg
State
Maryland
ZIP Code
21532-1099
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Frostburg State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Frostburg State 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.2%.
How much does a degree from Frostburg State University Cost?
The sticker price is $26,500/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,323.
32.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 37.8% take federal loans at Frostburg State University. File your FAFSA early and list Frostburg State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Frostburg State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,493. That's about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Frostburg State 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 Frostburg State 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 Frostburg State 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 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Frostburg State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Frostburg State University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Frostburg State University run about $55,493 a year.
At about $26,500 a year, Frostburg State University is on the more affordable end.
About 32.9% receive a Pell Grant at Frostburg State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 89.4%, Frostburg State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Frostburg State University average a 3.5 GPA.
Frostburg State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, Frostburg State 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 Frostburg State University — aim above 1090, ideally within the 1050–1120 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Frostburg State University is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 45. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 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.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Maryland Colleges
Average SAT Score of Maryland Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Maryland
Bachelor Programs in Maryland
Test Optional Colleges in Maryland
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Maryland