Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Baltimore, Maryland
83% Acceptance Rate
Morgan State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
984Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$24,778Annual Cost
$50,698Grad Salary
54.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
984
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
860–1080
ACT Middle 50%
17–21
Avg Net Price
$15,015
Need-Based Aid
54.5% receive Pell
Morgan State University is a prestigious public, historically Black research university (HBCU) in Maryland known for its commitment to academic excellence, research, and community service. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university fosters a dynamic and inclusive environment that encourages innovation, leadership, and professional development. Its long-standing reputation for excellence and service makes it a top-tier choice for students.
Morgan State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Morgan State University is inclusive by design. 83% 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 — 83% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Morgan State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Morgan State University (Priority — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 98 days left — Priority
Priority
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 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.
Morgan State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Morgan State University is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.30–3.50.Morgan State University 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
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Public HBCU and "Maryland's Preeminent Urban Public Research University," located in Baltimore, MD; founded 1867; $35 non-refundable application fee.
- Required high school coursework is unusually specific: 4 years of math (including a senior-year math course requirement), 3 years of science with at least one lab experience, and 2 years of foreign language or Advanced Technology Education.
- SAT/ACT scores, if submitted, must come directly from College Board (code 5416) or ACT.org (code 1722) - self-reported scores on the application alone are not sufficient for official consideration.
- The Honors College's Continuing/Transfer Student application track requires a 3.6+ cumulative GPA and no more than 60 earned college credit hours - a narrower, separate eligibility path from the Freshman track described above.
- 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 Morgan State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Morgan State University'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.
Morgan State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Morgan State University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Morgan State University Without SAT or ACT?
Morgan State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Morgan State University Average SAT Score: 984
Admitted students at Morgan State University average a 984 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 984 — Accessible
A 984 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 21 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Morgan State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 860? A retake is worth it at Morgan State University. 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 | 450 | 550 |
| SAT Reading | 470 | 410 | 530 |
| SAT Composite | 984 | 860 | 1080 |
A score under 860 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1080+ 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 1000
Can I get into Morgan State University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Morgan State University'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.
Morgan State University ACT Requirements
Morgan State University's admitted students average an ACT of 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
An average of 19 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| ACT English | 18 | 15 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 17 | 21 |
Can I get into Morgan State University with a 21 ACT?
At 21, you're in the top quarter of Morgan State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Morgan State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Morgan State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Morgan State University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Submit by the Honors College's posted early deadline even if you don't plan to apply to Honors - it gates merit scholarship consideration too
Morgan's general freshman admission decisions are rolling starting in January, with no hard final deadline for the university itself - but the Clara I. Adams Honors College requires having submitted a COMPLETE application by the Office of Admission's posted "early deadline" (recently extended to February 13 in one cycle due to weather disruptions) just to be ELIGIBLE to apply to Honors at all, and Morgan explicitly states that students who want "highest consideration for scholarships and the Honors College" should apply at this early deadline, not just before the rolling window closes. A student aiming for any merit money or Honors consideration who applies in March under the assumption that "rolling admission means no rush" has already likely missed the real competitive window, even though their general admission is unaffected.
Calculate the exact GPA tier needed for the Honors College's flagship Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship before assuming any scholarship is "good enough"
Morgan's Honors College scholarships are sharply tiered: the Martin D. Jenkins Scholarship covers up to FULL tuition, fees, approved on-campus room and board, plus $500/semester for books - but requires maintaining a 3.6/4.0 cumulative GPA continuously, is for incoming freshmen only, and renews for up to 4 years only with that GPA sustained. The Honors Associate Scholarship, by contrast, awards a much smaller $2,000/year and only requires a 3.4 GPA to maintain. A student admitted to Honors with an entering GPA just above 3.4 should understand they're likely tracking toward the SMALLER award tier unless their college-level performance specifically clears 3.6 - don't let a family assume "Honors College" automatically means the full-ride-equivalent package.
Submit test scores strategically - Morgan is genuinely test-optional with zero penalty, but scores can still unlock honors/scholarship paths for some applicant types
Morgan explicitly states that applying test-optional "does not help or hurt" general admission, and ALL applicants regardless of test submission remain eligible for merit scholarships, Honors College, and direct program admission. However, this neutrality has one carve-out: international applicants specifically must submit SAT or ACT scores if they want to be considered for an Honors College scholarship (domestic test-optional applicants face no such requirement). If advising an international family, don't apply the same "skip testing, no downside" logic used for domestic students - confirm citizenship/visa status before recommending the test-optional route for Honors-track international applicants.
Use the one-required-letter-of-recommendation rule as a real differentiator, not a formality, since transfer students skip it entirely
Freshman applicants to Morgan are required to submit exactly ONE letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor submitted alongside the online application - this requirement is unique to freshman applicants (transfer students are explicitly exempt and can enter "admissions@morgan.edu" as a placeholder in the recommendation field). Since this is one of the only qualitative, non-numeric inputs in an otherwise GPA/coursework-driven holistic review, coach freshman applicants to choose a recommender who can speak to specific academic growth or classroom engagement rather than treating it as a box to check quickly.
Expert Insight:
Morgan's relatively high acceptance profile (average admitted GPA reported around 3.1-3.13, with SAT/ACT scores well below national medians among submitters) can lead families to under-prepare the ONE qualitative lever the university does weight heavily: the required letter of recommendation and the strength of senior-year coursework trend. Morgan's own admission requirements explicitly note "positive grade trends" as something test-optional applicants should showcase - a student with an upward GPA trajectory through senior year is materially better positioned than one with an identical final GPA but a flat or declining trend, even though both numbers might look similar on paper.
Morgan State University Profile
Full Name
Morgan State University
City
Baltimore
State
Maryland
ZIP Code
21251-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Morgan State University Degree Worth It?
At $24,778/year against a $50,698 median graduate salary, Morgan State University 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 $63,600, and graduates see a 4.49% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Morgan State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $24,778/year at Morgan State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $15,015.
At Morgan State University, 54.5% receive a Pell Grant and 65.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Morgan State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Morgan State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Morgan State University graduates report a median income of $50,698, about 25% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Morgan State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Morgan State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Morgan State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Morgan State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Morgan State University Admissions
Morgan State University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $50,698/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Morgan State University is relatively affordable, around $24,778/year.
54.5% of Morgan State University students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Morgan State University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Morgan State University's acceptance rate is 83%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Morgan State University students is 3.1, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.8 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Morgan State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.7 or below makes admission tougher at Morgan State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Morgan State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 984, and within the 860–1080 range, keeps you competitive.
Morgan State University's deadline is November 15 (Priority).
Morgan State University charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026. That's Morgan State University'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.
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