Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Bemidji, Minnesota
70.7% Acceptance Rate
Bemidji State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.7%Acceptance Rate
3.26Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$23,066Annual Cost
$53,755Grad Salary
26.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.7%
Avg GPA
3.26
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1120
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Avg Net Price
$17,050
Need-Based Aid
26.3% receive Pell
Bemidji State University is a public institution in Minnesota known for its commitment to academic excellence, student engagement, and environmental stewardship. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a supportive campus environment that encourages critical thinking and professional preparation. Its focus on accessible, high-value education in a unique regional setting makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to achieve their academic and career ambitions.
Bemidji State University Acceptance Rate
Bemidji State University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 70.7% each year.
What Bemidji State 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 — 70.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.81
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bemidji State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Bemidji 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
⏳ 177 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Bemidji 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.
Bemidji State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bemidji State University is 3.26. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.96–3.26 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.46–3.66.Bemidji State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.86 – 3.05
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.85
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Application is always free; admission is rolling with domestic deadlines closing 4:30 PM the Thursday before each term starts.
- All admitted students pay in-state tuition regardless of home state.
- Located on a lakeside campus in Bemidji, Minnesota; strong environmental sustainability emphasis.
- Offers 200+ undergraduate majors, minors, and certificates plus graduate programs.
- 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 Bemidji State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Bemidji State University's verified institutional data
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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.
Bemidji State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Bemidji State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Bemidji State University Without SAT or ACT?
Bemidji State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bemidji State University Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bemidji 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 or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bemidji 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 Bemidji 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 Bemidji State University with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Bemidji 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.
Bemidji State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Bemidji State University is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Bemidji State University with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Bemidji State University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Bemidji State University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bemidji State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Bemidji State University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Emphasize the flat-rate tuition policy if cost is a barrier
Bemidji State charges in-state tuition to all students "no matter where you're from" - a genuinely unusual pricing model. Out-of-state and even some international applicants should raise this directly with their admissions rep, since it's a real financial advantage many prospective students don't realize applies to them.
Know the two-tier GPA system before assuming rejection
A 2.75 GPA guarantees admission; a 2.5-2.74 GPA triggers conditional admission; below that goes to holistic review rather than automatic denial. Students in the lower bands should submit a brief context statement with their application rather than assuming a lower GPA disqualifies them outright.
Highlight Indigenous studies interest explicitly if relevant
BSU has a genuinely deep Indigenous-focused academic identity - Ojibwe language instruction, Indigenous Business, Indigenous Sustainability Studies majors, and a dedicated American Indian Resource Center. Native applicants or those with real interest in this area should name specific programs (not just "diversity") in their application materials.
Apply early even though the process is free and rolling
Because BSU's application is free and rolling with no hard deadline pressure, students sometimes delay - but early application is explicitly recommended for scholarship and registration priority. Applying in the fall of senior year, not the spring, protects access to the strongest financial aid packages.
Expert Insight:
Because BSU markets itself as "easy and free" to apply to, some students treat the application casually - but scholarship allocation and registration priority are still first-come, so a casual, late application costs real money even though it doesn't cost admission.
Bemidji State University Profile
Full Name
Bemidji State University
City
Bemidji
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
56601
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Bemidji State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Bemidji 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 $55,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.73%.
How much does a degree from Bemidji State University Cost?
The sticker price is $23,066/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $17,050.
26.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.8% take federal loans at Bemidji State University. File your FAFSA early and list Bemidji State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Bemidji State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $53,755. That's about 32% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bemidji 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 Bemidji 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 Bemidji 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 Bemidji State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bemidji State University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Bemidji State University run about $53,755 a year.
At about $23,066 a year, Bemidji State University is on the more affordable end.
About 26.3% receive a Pell Grant at Bemidji State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 70.7%, Bemidji State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Bemidji State University average a 3.26 GPA.
Bemidji State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.96 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.86, Bemidji 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 Bemidji State University — aim above 1090, ideally within the 1050–1120 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Bemidji State University is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 20. 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.
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