Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Paul, Minnesota
89.8% Acceptance Rate
Hamline University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.8%Acceptance Rate
3.48Avg GPA
1197Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$56,738Annual Cost
$61,106Grad Salary
39.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.8%
Avg GPA
3.48
Avg SAT
1197
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1146–1393
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
39.8% receive Pell
Hamline University is a private, liberal arts university in Minnesota that emphasizes research, social justice, and professional preparation. Admissions are holistic, evaluating academic potential, personal character, and service orientation. The university seeks intellectually curious students who are ready to participate in a supportive, mentorship-focused learning environment that values civic engagement.
Applicants should highlight any history of community service or extracurricular involvement that demonstrates leadership or ethical inquiry. A successful personal statement reflects the student's desire to grow as an engaged citizen and their readiness to participate in Hamline's collaborative and service-oriented campus community. Showing a clear alignment with the university's values of social responsibility is essential.
Hamline University Acceptance Rate
Hamline University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 89.8%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 89.8% 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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Hamline University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Hamline 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 November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Hamline 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.
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
Hamline University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Hamline University is 3.48. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.68-3.88 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.18 and 3.48, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Hamline University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at Hamline University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.48, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Minnesota's first university (founded 1854) and among the first coeducational universities in the nation; only United Methodist-affiliated university in Minnesota
- Personal essay and letter of recommendation are recommended, not required; SAT/ACT test-optional; Early Action deadline November 1
- 3+3 accelerated law pathway with Mitchell Hamline School of Law available to any major, not only Legal Studies, provided specific coursework and GPA/credit requirements are met
- All undergraduates must complete an internship, collaborative research, service-learning, or field-based research project as a graduation requirement; over 90% of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree
- The Rigor Metric: At Hamline University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Hamline University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Hamline 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.
Hamline University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Hamline University Without SAT or ACT?
Hamline University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Hamline University Average SAT Score: 1197
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Hamline University is 1197 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1197 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1197 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1393 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Hamline University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1146, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Hamline University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 626 | 553 | 698 |
| SAT Reading | 644 | 593 | 695 |
| SAT Composite | 1197 | 1146 | 1393 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1146 then you are below most of the admitted students at Hamline University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1393 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Hamline University with a 1400 SAT?
With a 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Hamline University are good but the admission staff at Hamline University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Hamline University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Hamline University is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Hamline University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 24 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Hamline University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Hamline University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Hamline University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Hamline University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Hamline University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 28 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Hamline University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Hamline University is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Apply Through the Legal Studies Department to Access the 3+3 Accelerated Law Pathway
Hamline's affiliation with Mitchell Hamline School of Law enables a documented 3+3 program allowing a student to earn a bachelor's degree and a J.D. in six years total instead of seven. This is not limited to Legal Studies majors - any major qualifies provided the student completes three specific required courses and meets Hamline Plan requirements, earns 100 semester credits, and applies to graduate by December of junior year. Because participation requires proactive declaration via the Undergraduate Declaration form and early coordination with the Legal Studies Department, a prospective applicant who mentions the 3+3 program by name in their application or admission interview - and asks a specific question about which major pairs best with their intended law specialty - signals a level of institutional research the majority of applicants lack. Students must still independently qualify for LSAT scores and Mitchell Hamline admission in the fall of junior year; the 3+3 track guarantees an accelerated structure, not automatic law school acceptance.
Leverage Hamline's 'First Coeducational University' Identity and Social Justice Framing in Application Materials
Hamline holds the distinction of being Minnesota's first university and among the first coeducational universities in the nation, graduating the first two college graduates in Minnesota history - two sisters - in 1859. It is also the only United Methodist-affiliated university in Minnesota, with an institutional identity built around social justice and civic responsibility, expressed formally through its Center for Justice and Law. Applicants who connect their personal essay or activities list to civic engagement, gender equity work, or interdisciplinary social-impact projects will resonate with an admissions committee trained to read for this specific institutional value rather than generic "well-roundedness." Referencing Hamline's founding history accurately (1854, Red Wing origin, first Minnesota college graduates being women) in an optional statement demonstrates the kind of specific institutional knowledge that generic essays lack.
Target the Required Internship/Research/Service-Learning Requirement As a Pre-Application Talking Point
Every Hamline undergraduate must complete an internship, collaborative research project, service-learning project, or field-based research experience before graduation - this is a structural graduation requirement, not an optional enhancement. Applicants who arrive with a specific idea of what experiential project they want to pursue (tied to their intended major) and articulate this in their application demonstrate they understand Hamline's applied-learning model rather than viewing it as a traditional lecture-based liberal arts college. For students applying to competitive majors within the College of Liberal Arts, School of Business, or School of Education, naming a target faculty member or research area during an interview or optional essay - especially given that more than 90% of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or highest degree in their field - signals both preparation and genuine fit.
Submit Optional Essay and Recommendation Materials Even Though Neither Is Strictly Required
Hamline recommends, but does not require, a personal essay/statement and a letter of recommendation for admission - creating a common trap where students submit only the mandatory transcript and GPA data and miss the chance to differentiate themselves in an 88% acceptance-rate environment where merit scholarship tiers and Honors consideration are shaped by the fuller file. Students should treat the "recommended" essay and recommendation letter as effectively required if they want to be competitive for Hamline's merit scholarships or Honors Program placement, since these optional materials are the primary vehicle for admissions readers to differentiate candidates with similar GPA/test profiles. Early Action applicants (deadline November 1) should prioritize submitting the full optional file, since Early Action decisions are typically used by Hamline to allocate the earliest and often most generous scholarship offers.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure at Hamline is treating the 3+3 law pathway as a guarantee rather than a structural accelerant - students assume declaring the 3+3 track secures law school admission and are unprepared when they must independently sit for the LSAT and apply to Mitchell Hamline under the same competitive criteria as any other applicant during junior year. A second common failure is skipping the optional essay and recommendation letter because they are technically not required; students who do this are almost always assigned lower merit scholarship tiers than peers with comparable GPAs who submitted the fuller optional file, since Hamline's committee uses these materials specifically to differentiate scholarship levels in a high-acceptance-rate applicant pool.
Hamline University Profile
Full Name
Hamline University
City
Saint Paul
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55104-1284
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Hamline University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Hamline University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Hamline University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Hamline University is $71,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.78%.
How much does a degree from Hamline University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Hamline University is $56,738. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Hamline University is much less than this.
39.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 58.7 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Hamline University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Hamline University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Hamline University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Hamline University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $61,106. An average Hamline University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Hamline University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Hamline University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Hamline University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
Degree Programs at Hamline University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamline University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $61,106 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $56,738 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
39.8% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Hamline University is 89.8% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.48. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.18, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.18, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.08 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.48, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Hamline University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1197 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1146–1393.
The application deadline for Hamline University is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by January 15. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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