Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Collegeville, Minnesota
90.5% Acceptance Rate
Saint Johns University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.5%Acceptance Rate
3.51Avg GPA
1220Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$66,863Annual Cost
$76,786Grad Salary
18.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.5%
Avg GPA
3.51
Avg SAT
1220
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1145–1280
ACT Middle 50%
22–28
Need-Based Aid
18.1% receive Pell
Saint Johns University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and service. Admissions are holistic, evaluating academic potential, personal character, and the quality of the applicant's high school preparation. The university seeks intellectually curious students who are ready to participate in a supportive, mentorship-focused learning environment.
Applicants should highlight any history of community service, athletics, or student government that demonstrates leadership or ethical inquiry. A successful personal statement reflects the student's desire to grow as an engaged member of the campus community and their readiness to participate in Saint Johns' collaborative and service-oriented environment. Showing a clear alignment with the university's values of integrity and excellence is essential.
Saint Johns University Acceptance Rate
Saint Johns University (Saint Johns) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 90.5% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — 90.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.06
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Johns University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Saint Johns University is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 96 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 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.
Saint Johns GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Saint Johns is 3.51. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.21 and 3.51? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.71–3.91.Saint Johns GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.11 – 3.30
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.10
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- SJU is one of the few remaining men's-only colleges in the U.S.; it shares one admission office, one curriculum, and joint faculty with the women's College of Saint Benedict (CSB) via a free inter-campus shuttle.
- No essay, no letter of recommendation, and no application fee are required for first-year admission; test scores are optional and self-reported, with official scores required only after enrollment.
- Merit scholarships (up to $35,000/year for the Fall 2025 entering class) are awarded automatically through the admission application - no separate scholarship application for most awards.
- Roughly two-thirds of CSB/SJU students complete a semester-long study abroad experience, ranking the coordinate colleges among the top handful of U.S. undergraduate institutions nationally for that metric.
- 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 Saint Johns
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Johns 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.
Saint Johns University (Saint Johns) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Saint Johns is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Saint Johns Without SAT or ACT?
Saint Johns considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Johns University Average SAT Score: 1220
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Johns University is 1220 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1220 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1280 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Johns 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 1145, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Saint Johns. 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 | 608 | 570 | 645 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 575 | 635 |
| SAT Composite | 1220 | 1145 | 1280 |
Below 1145, you're behind most admitted students; at 1280 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 1200
Can I get into Saint Johns University (Saint Johns) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Saint Johns'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.
Saint Johns University (Saint Johns) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Saint Johns is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 28 |
Can I get into Saint Johns University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Saint Johns'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 Saint Johns.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Saint Johns
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Saint Johns provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Use the optional writing sample as your hidden scholarship lever
SJU requires no essay for first-year admission, but merit scholarships (up to $35,000/year for the Fall 2025 cohort) are determined automatically from the same application - meaning the officially "optional but encouraged" writing sample and teacher evaluation are the only qualitative inputs the committee sees in an otherwise numbers-driven process. Frame the writing sample around intellectual curiosity and Benedictine-compatible values (community, hospitality, balanced living) to differentiate for scholarship dollars.
Apply as if you're applying to two campuses, because you are
SJU is a men's-only college that shares its entire curriculum, faculty, and one admission office with the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), a women's college nine kilometers away, linked by the free "LINK" shuttle. Never write generic "why us" content about SJU alone - reference the coordinate, single-sex residential / fully co-ed academic structure specifically to show genuine fit rather than a copy-pasted liberal-arts essay.
File Early Action to maximize scholarship room, not just admission odds
Because merit aid is auto-determined at the point of review and SJU runs Early Action (non-binding) ahead of Priority/Rolling review (which begins Feb 1), applying EA gets a file reviewed - and a scholarship figure locked in - before the largest awards in a fixed institutional aid pool may be depleted. Submit EA and let the optional materials do the differentiation work instead of waiting on one more semester's grades.
Target the 60-person leadership cohort as a post-admission differentiator
CSB+SJU offers a selective, community-based-research leadership cohort capped at roughly 60 students - a deliberate alternative to a traditional honors college. It's a separate application after matriculation, not part of first-year admission, so don't spend application space on abstract "honors-level" language; instead have the student name this specific cohort in their optional writing sample to signal real program-level research.
Expert Insight:
Don't let a family anchor on a single acceptance-rate figure - third-party sources currently show wildly different numbers (roughly 77% to over 90%) because SJU's selectivity data is muddied by applicant self-selection and the coordinate-college structure it shares with CSB. Counsel students to treat SJU as a solid-match option for a well-rounded transcript rather than fixating on any one published percentage.
Saint Johns Profile
Full Name
Saint Johns University (Saint Johns)
City
Collegeville
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
56321
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Saint Johns Degree Worth It?
Saint Johns offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.55%.
How much does a degree from Saint Johns Cost?
The sticker price is $66,863/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
18.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 56.6% take federal loans at Saint Johns. File your FAFSA early and list Saint Johns as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Saint Johns Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $76,786. That's about 89% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Johns University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Johns University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Johns 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 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Saint Johns
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Johns Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Johns University run about $76,786 a year.
At about $66,863 a year, Saint Johns University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Saint Johns University's Pell Grant rate of 18.1% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 90.5%, Saint Johns University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Johns University average a 3.51 GPA.
Saint Johns University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.21 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.11, Saint Johns 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 Saint Johns University — aim above 1220, ideally within the 1145–1280 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Saint Johns University is November 15 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 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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