Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Livonia, Michigan
92.9% Acceptance Rate
Madonna University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.9%Acceptance Rate
3.35Avg GPA
1000Avg SAT
$38,809Annual Cost
$59,058Grad Salary
29.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.9%
Avg GPA
3.35
Avg SAT
1000
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
890–1120
Need-Based Aid
29.5% receive Pell
Madonna University, a Catholic institution in Livonia, Michigan, is recognized for its outstanding nursing, forensic science, and education programs. The university combines professional preparation with a strong liberal arts foundation.
The 53-acre campus features the state-of-the-art Health Professions Building with high-fidelity simulation labs, the Franciscan Center for science education, and the newly renovated Welcome Center. Madonna's service-learning approach integrates community engagement throughout the curriculum, with students completing over 50,000 hours of service annually.
Madonna University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Madonna University is inclusive by design. 92.9% 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 — 92.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.90
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Madonna University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Madonna University 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
Madonna 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.
💡 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.
Madonna University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Madonna University is 3.35. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.05–3.35 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 3.55–3.75.Madonna 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
3.35 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.95 – 3.14
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.94
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Sign Language Studies department founded in 1975, one of the first in the country; Madonna offers the only four-year American Sign Language education degree in Michigan.
- Nursing accounts for nearly half of all bachelor's degrees awarded annually, with roughly 7,000 nursing alumni spread across 43 states.
- Operates satellite centers in Dearborn, Gaylord, Macomb, and Southfield offering a limited selection of undergraduate programs - not the full main-campus catalog.
- Founded in 1937 by the Felician Sisters within the specific Felician Franciscan tradition.
- 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 Madonna University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Madonna 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.
Madonna University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Madonna 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 Madonna University Without SAT or ACT?
Madonna University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Madonna University Average SAT Score: 1000
Admitted students at Madonna University average a 1000 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1000 — Accessible
A 1000 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Madonna University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 890? A retake is worth it at Madonna 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 | 495 | 430 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 510 | 460 | 560 |
| SAT Composite | 1000 | 890 | 1120 |
A score under 890 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1120+ 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 Madonna University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Madonna 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Madonna University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Madonna University is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Lean Into the ASL Education Program's Uniqueness
Madonna's Sign Language Studies department, founded in 1975, is one of the oldest in the country, and Madonna offers the only four-year American Sign Language education degree in Michigan. Students interested in ASL, deaf education, or interpreting should reference this program's history and uniqueness specifically in their application - no other Michigan institution offers this specific four-year credential.
Treat Nursing's Scale as a Distinct Institutional Strength
Nursing accounts for nearly half of all bachelor's degrees awarded in a given year, with roughly 7,000 alumni spread across 43 states. Students entering this program should expect a robust, well-resourced peer and alumni network specifically in nursing, and should ask about program-specific advising given this scale.
Confirm Satellite Center Program Availability Before Enrolling
Madonna offers "several" undergraduate programs - not the full catalog - at its Dearborn, Gaylord, Macomb, and Southfield satellite centers. Confirm the specific intended major is offered there before assuming a full degree can be completed without traveling to the main Livonia campus.
Understand Madonna's Specific Felician Franciscan Identity
Madonna was founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937 and operates within the Felician Franciscan tradition specifically - a distinct congregation from other Franciscan-affiliated colleges. Research this specific tradition rather than assuming it's interchangeable with other Catholic or Franciscan-affiliated institutions.
Expert Insight:
Because nursing so dominates Madonna's undergraduate degree output, students in other majors should confirm the depth of resources, class availability, and career services specifically available to their program, since the university's core institutional identity and largest investment of resources center heavily on nursing.
Madonna University Profile
Full Name
Madonna University
City
Livonia
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
48150-1176
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Madonna University Degree Worth It?
Whether Madonna 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $72,800, and graduates see a 3.38% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Madonna University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $38,809/year at Madonna University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Madonna University, 29.5% receive a Pell Grant and 54.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Madonna University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Madonna University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Madonna University graduates report a median income of $59,058, 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 Madonna University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Madonna University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Madonna University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
Degree Programs at Madonna University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Madonna University Admissions
Madonna University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $59,058/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Madonna University is moderate, around $38,809/year; many students supplement with aid.
29.5% of Madonna University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Madonna University's acceptance rate is 92.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Madonna University students is 3.35, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.05 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Madonna University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.95 or below makes admission tougher at Madonna University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Madonna University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1000, and within the 890–1120 range, keeps you competitive.
Madonna University 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 Madonna 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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