Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Albion, Michigan
83.2% Acceptance Rate
Albion College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.2%Acceptance Rate
3.48Avg GPA
1045Avg SAT
$68,794Annual Cost
$58,799Grad Salary
45.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.2%
Avg GPA
3.48
Avg SAT
1045
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1005–1075
Need-Based Aid
45.3% receive Pell
Albion College, founded in 1835 in Albion, Michigan, is a private liberal arts college ranked #118 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News. Known for its science, business, and pre-professional programs, Albion offers a rigorous curriculum with opportunities for undergraduate research. The 574-acre campus includes the Cutler Center for Student Success and the new Ferguson Hall for sciences.
Albion's Liberal Arts at Work' initiative integrates career preparation with academics, offering internships and partnerships with global organizations. The college's location between Detroit and Chicago provides access to cultural and professional opportunities. Albion also boasts a strong athletic tradition (NCAA Division III) and a vibrant arts scene, with programs like the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy.
Albion College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Albion College is inclusive by design: 83.2% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.48 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.03
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Albion College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Albion College (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 96 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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.
Albion College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Albion College is 3.48. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.18–3.48 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 3.68–3.88.Albion College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.48 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.08 – 3.27
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.07
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Personal essay and letter of recommendation are recommended but not required for first-year admission; test-optional/flexible policy; acceptance rate is roughly 56-81% depending on source, with regular applications due February 15.
- Direct Admit pathway offers conditional admission via a streamlined form for students from Albion partner institutions with a minimum 2.9 HS GPA.
- The Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service, established at Albion by President Gerald Ford in 1977, includes a required internship - one of six distinctive Centers & Institutes at Albion.
- Eagle Scouts receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship upon admission and enrollment; the "Inside-Out" course places Albion students alongside incarcerated students at Cotton Correctional Facility.
- 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 Albion College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Albion College'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.
Albion College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Albion 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 Albion College Without SAT or ACT?
Albion College neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Albion College Average SAT Score: 1045
Admitted students at Albion College average a 1045 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1045 — Accessible
A 1045 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1075 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Albion College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1005? A retake is worth it at Albion 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1045 | 1005 | 1075 |
A score under 1005 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1075+ 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 Albion College with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Albion 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 Albion College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Albion College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Ask about Direct Admit if your high school is an Albion partner
Students from Albion partner institutions with a minimum 2.9 HS GPA can receive conditional admission through a streamlined Direct Admit form rather than the full standard application - a meaningfully lower-friction path most applicants don't know to ask about.
Name the Gerald R. Ford Institute specifically if leadership or public policy is a strength
This institute was personally established at Albion in 1977 by President Gerald Ford and includes a required hands-on internship placed through a strong alumni network. Naming this institute specifically in an essay or interview signals genuine, specific interest well beyond generic "I like leadership" language.
Apply for the Eagle Scout scholarship if eligible
A concrete, named $1,000 one-time award is available simply for having earned Eagle Scout rank, applying, being admitted, and enrolling - a strong, easy-to-claim credential-based scholarship many applicants overlook.
Ask about the "Inside-Out" course if interested in social/restorative justice
This course through the James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change brings Albion students into Cotton Correctional Facility to learn alongside incarcerated students for a 15-week transitional justice program - a genuinely distinctive experiential offering most peer liberal arts colleges don't have.
Expert Insight:
The application essay is explicitly recommended, not required, for first-year admission - a student with a strong holistic profile shouldn't assume skipping it is risk-free, since it remains one of the few ways to add context or nuance at a school that otherwise relies heavily on GPA and test scores in a formulaic first pass.
Albion College Profile
Full Name
Albion College
City
Albion
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
49224
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Albion College Degree Worth It?
Whether Albion College 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $71,400, and graduates see a 3.11% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Albion College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $68,794/year at Albion College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Albion College, 45.3% receive a Pell Grant and 66.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Albion College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Albion College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Albion College graduates report a median income of $58,799, 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 Albion College. 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 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 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 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Albion College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Albion College. 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 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Albion College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Albion College Admissions
Albion College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,799/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Albion College runs high — roughly $68,794+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
45.3% of Albion College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Albion College's acceptance rate is 83.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Albion College students is 3.48, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.18 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Albion College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.08 or below makes admission tougher at Albion College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Albion College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1045, and within the 1005–1075 range, keeps you competitive.
Albion College's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026 — that's Albion College'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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