Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Boston, Massachusetts
66% Acceptance Rate
Simmons University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
66%Acceptance Rate
3.87Avg GPA
1332Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$63,512Annual Cost
$63,494Grad Salary
29.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
66%
Avg GPA
3.87
Avg SAT
1332
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1230–1390
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
29.8% receive Pell
Simmons University is a private, non-profit institution in Boston known for its long-standing commitment to empowering women through leadership, professional preparation, and academic excellence. Offering a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the university fosters a culture of critical inquiry, social justice, and career-focused learning. Its focus on small class sizes, mentorship, and real-world application makes it a premier destination for students seeking an elite education that prepares them for professional and societal leadership.
Simmons University Acceptance Rate
Simmons University is moderately selective. 66% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Simmons University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 66% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.87 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.67 – 3.86
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.42
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Simmons University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Simmons University (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 1
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15) 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.
Simmons University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Simmons University is 3.87. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.57 and 3.87, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.07–4.27.Simmons University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
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
3.87 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.67 – 3.86
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.47 – 3.66
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.46
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Undergraduate admission eligibility is explicitly defined (assigned female at birth, women-identifying, or non-binary students who feel they belong), not open to all applicants
- Colleges of the Fenway membership gives access to 2,000+ cross-registration courses, starting a student's second semester and capped at two courses per term
- Transfer SUCCESS program offers up to $22,000/year specifically for community college AA/AS graduates
- Merit scholarships for first-year and transfer students are automatic through the admission process - no separate application needed
- 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 Simmons University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Simmons 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.
Simmons University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Simmons 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 Simmons University Without SAT or ACT?
Simmons University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Simmons University Average SAT Score: 1332
Admitted students at Simmons University average a 1332 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1332 — Competitive
A 1332 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1390 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Simmons University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1230? A retake is worth it at Simmons 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 | 635 | 590 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 675 | 640 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1332 | 1230 | 1390 |
A score under 1230 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1390+ 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 1350
Can I get into Simmons University with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in Simmons 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.
Simmons University ACT Requirements
Simmons University's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 26 | 27 |
| ACT English | 31 | 28 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into Simmons University with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Simmons 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, Simmons 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 Simmons University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Simmons University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Confirm your eligibility under Simmons's specific admission policy
Undergraduate admission is explicitly open to those assigned female at birth, those who identify as women, or those outside the gender binary who feel they belong in the community. Read the actual policy rather than assuming.
Plan around the cross-registration timing rule
First-year, first-time students aren't eligible for Colleges of the Fenway cross-registration in their first semester. Access to 2,000+ partner courses starts your second semester, capped at two courses per term after that.
Ask specifically about Transfer SUCCESS if you're a community college graduate
This distinct scholarship (up to $22,000/year) is separate from Simmons's general transfer merit scholarships ($10k-$20k) and specifically targets AA/AS graduates - make sure you're being considered for the right one.
Name direct-entry nursing or the 3+1 combined degree specifically in your essay
Simmons structures these as distinct academic pathways. Showing you understand the specific structure you're opting into reads stronger than a generic "I want to study nursing."
Expert Insight:
Transfer applicants sometimes conflate the general Transfer merit scholarship ($10k-$20k) with the community-college-specific Transfer SUCCESS award (up to $22k) - mixing these up in your application can undersell your actual eligibility.
Simmons University Profile
Full Name
Simmons University
City
Boston
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
02115-5898
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Simmons University Degree Worth It?
At $63,512/year against a $63,494 median graduate salary, Simmons 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 $77,700, and graduates see a 2.81% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Simmons University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $63,512/year at Simmons University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Simmons University, 29.8% receive a Pell Grant and 63.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Simmons University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Simmons University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Simmons University graduates report a median income of $63,494, about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Simmons University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Simmons University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Simmons University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
Degree Programs at Simmons University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Simmons University Admissions
Simmons University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,494/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Simmons University runs high, at roughly $63,512+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
29.8% of Simmons University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Simmons University's acceptance rate is 66%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Simmons University students is 3.87, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.57 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Simmons University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.47 or below makes admission tougher at Simmons University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Simmons University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1332, and within the 1230–1390 range, keeps you competitive.
Simmons University's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15. That's Simmons 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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