Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Cleveland, Mississippi
99.7% Acceptance Rate
Delta State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
99.7%Acceptance Rate
3.37Avg GPA
1091Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$22,008Annual Cost
$41,991Grad Salary
43.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
99.7%
Avg GPA
3.37
Avg SAT
1091
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
940–1190
ACT Middle 50%
17–24
Avg Net Price
$13,778
Need-Based Aid
43.1% receive Pell
Delta State University is a public, regional institution in Mississippi focusing on professional preparation and liberal arts. Admissions prioritize academic performance and readiness for a supportive, student-centered campus. The university seeks motivated students who want to build a career in a community-focused setting. Successful applicants should highlight their academic consistency and their desire to engage in research or community service initiatives.
Delta State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Delta State University is inclusive by design. 99.7% 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 — 99.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.37 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.92
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Delta State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Delta 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
⏳ 175 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Delta 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.
Delta State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Delta State University is 3.37. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.07–3.37 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 3.57–3.77.Delta State 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
3.37 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.97 – 3.16
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.96
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Delta State's Division of Commercial Aviation is the only undergraduate and graduate aviation program in Mississippi's public university system (IHL), AABI-accredited, with the FAA-approved R-ATP reduced-hour pathway (1,000-1,250 hours vs. the standard 1,500).
- Admission to Delta State does not guarantee admission to the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing, which requires a separate application (due March 1) including an ACT/GPA combination, three references, and a healthcare-agency fingerprint background check.
- Delta State also offers a niche Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate for agricultural aviation and a BAS in Geospatial Analysis and Intelligence accredited by the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).
- Delta State reports a 100% general acceptance rate and competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Statesmen/Lady Statesmen.
- 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 Delta State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Delta State 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.
Delta State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Delta State 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 Delta State University Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at Delta State University. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Delta State University Average SAT Score: 1091
Admitted students at Delta State University average a 1091 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1091 — Accessible
A 1091 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Delta State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 940? A retake is worth it at Delta State 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 | 525 | 460 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1091 | 940 | 1190 |
A score under 940 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1190+ 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 1100
Can I get into Delta State University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Delta State 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.
Delta State University ACT Requirements
Delta State University's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 24 |
Can I get into Delta State University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Delta State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Delta State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Delta State University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Delta State University's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Start your FAA medical and TSA citizenship documentation the summer before enrollment
Flight Operations majors are expected to begin flying within the first week of classes, which requires a second-class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner and TSA-required proof of citizenship (a valid US passport, or an original birth certificate plus driver's license) already in hand. Schedule your AME exam and gather citizenship documents months before you arrive on campus, since delays here directly delay your flight training start, not just paperwork.
Target the R-ATP reduced-hour pathway explicitly when planning your flight training sequence
Delta State's FAA-approved curriculum lets Bachelor of Commercial Aviation graduates who complete both Instrument and Commercial Pilot training through DSU's own Commercial Aviation (CAV) courses qualify for the Restricted ATP certificate at 1,000 or 1,250 total flight hours - well below the standard 1,500-hour requirement. Make sure your Instrument and Commercial ratings are earned specifically through DSU's CAV course sequence (not substituted or transferred in) to preserve your R-ATP eligibility.
Know that Delta State admission does not guarantee nursing school admission - apply to both separately
Delta State explicitly states that general university admission does not automatically grant entry to the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing, which admits a competitive cohort each fall via a separate application due March 1, requiring an ACT composite of 21 (or 18-20 paired with a 2.5+ GPA), three current letters of reference, and a state-mandated fingerprint-based criminal background check completed at an approved healthcare agency (not a police department). Submit your nursing-specific application by March 1 regardless of when your general DSU admission is finalized.
Consider the Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate if agricultural aviation interests you
Delta State offers a specialized Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate for students who already hold a Private Pilot License, preparing them specifically for careers as agricultural pilots - a genuinely niche credential reflecting the university's Mississippi Delta agricultural setting. If you already have a PPL and are drawn to aviation but not the airline track, this certificate is a distinct, less-competitive route into a high-demand specialty most students never hear about.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that nursing background checks at Delta State must be completed via fingerprinting at an approved healthcare agency specifically - not a police or sheriff's department - and any cost is the student's responsibility; submitting a background check from the wrong type of agency can delay or disqualify an otherwise complete nursing application.
Delta State University Profile
Full Name
Delta State University
City
Cleveland
State
Mississippi
ZIP Code
38733
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Delta State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Delta 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $39,100, and graduates see a 5.91% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Delta State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $22,008/year at Delta State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $13,778.
At Delta State University, 43.1% receive a Pell Grant and 49.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Delta State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Delta State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Delta State University graduates report a median income of $41,991, about 3% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Delta 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 Delta 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 Delta 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 Delta State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Delta State University Admissions
Delta State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $41,991/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Delta State University is relatively affordable, around $22,008/year.
43.1% of Delta State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Delta State University's acceptance rate is 99.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Delta State University students is 3.37, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.07 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Delta State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.97 or below makes admission tougher at Delta State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Delta State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1091, and within the 940–1190 range, keeps you competitive.
Delta State University's deadline is February 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Delta State University charges an application fee of 30; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Delta State 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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