Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tougaloo, Mississippi
53.2% Acceptance Rate
Tougaloo College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
53.2%Acceptance Rate
2.8Avg GPA
940Avg SAT
$22,570Annual Cost
$34,724Grad Salary
61.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53.2%
Avg GPA
2.8
Avg SAT
940
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
900–970
Need-Based Aid
61.8% receive Pell
Tougaloo College Tougaloo College, founded in 1869 in Mississippi, is a private historically black liberal arts college with a rich civil rights legacy. The 500-acre campus offers comprehensive programs with particular strengths in natural sciences, education, and the humanities. Tougaloo maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and is known for its strong pre-medical program that produces high medical school acceptance rates. The campus features historic buildings like Woodworth Chapel and modern facilities including the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center. Tougaloo's partnership with Brown University is one of the oldest exchange programs between an Ivy League and HBCU.
Tougaloo takes pride in its tradition of academic excellence and social justice activism. Campus life includes NCAA Division II athletics and student organizations focused on community engagement. The college has expanded its STEM offerings while maintaining strong programs in traditional disciplines. Recent initiatives include the Center for Social Justice and the Health Disparities Research Center. Tougaloo's combination of academic rigor, historical significance, and commitment to social change makes it a distinctive institution among HBCUs.
Tougaloo College Acceptance Rate
Tougaloo College is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Tougaloo College is 53.2%. This means that 53 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 53.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.60 – 2.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.35
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.
Tougaloo College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Tougaloo College 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
Tougaloo College 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 (March 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.
Tougaloo College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Tougaloo College is 2.8. This suggests moderate selectivity.
A mix of A's, B's, and some C's is common. Higher SAT/ACT scores can compensate for a lower GPA.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.00-3.20 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.50 and 2.8, aim for a strong standardized test score.
Tougaloo College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Tougaloo College utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 2.8, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.80 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.60 – 2.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.40 – 2.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Brown-Tougaloo Partnership (est. 1964): includes student exchange, nine-week paid summer research, Bernstein Scholars program, and an Early Identification Program giving Tougaloo pre-med students a direct pathway to Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School - EIP has produced over 80 Brown MD graduates from Tougaloo.
- Acceptance rate approximately 53?60% (IPEDS-sourced); January 1 regular application deadline per Niche; $25 application fee; no supplemental essay required.
- Only private HBCU in Mississippi not under state control; campus served as a refuge and organizing hub during the Civil Rights Movement; six national register historic landmarks on campus.
- Six-year graduation rate 30?40% (sources vary by cohort); 71?83% first-year retention; median earnings 6 years post-enrollment approximately $25,777 - below national averages; students planning for graduate or professional school via the Brown pathway fare significantly better than aggregate outcomes suggest.
- The Rigor Metric: At Tougaloo College, 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 Tougaloo College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Tougaloo College'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.
Tougaloo College 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 Tougaloo College Without SAT or ACT?
Tougaloo College does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Tougaloo College Average SAT Score: 940
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Tougaloo College is 940 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 940 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 940 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (970 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Tougaloo College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 900, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Tougaloo College. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 940 | 900 | 970 |
It means that if you have scored less than 900 then you are below most of the admitted students at Tougaloo College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 970 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 950
Can I get into Tougaloo College with a 950 SAT?
With a 950 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Tougaloo College are good but the admission staff at Tougaloo College 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Tougaloo College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Tougaloo College is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Position Yourself for the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership Early
The Brown-Tougaloo Partnership - established in 1964 as the first exchange program between an HBCU and an Ivy League institution - is one of the most concrete academic differentiators in Tougaloo's portfolio. For pre-med students, the Early Identification Program at Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School offers fee waivers, MCAT waivers, application support, and direct recruiting on Tougaloo's campus. EIP candidates are typically identified by the end of sophomore year, which means your freshman year GPA and research engagement directly shape your eligibility. If medicine or public health is your goal, name this partnership explicitly in your application materials and connect it to your specific academic intentions.
Lean Into the Civil Rights Campus History - It's Not Marketing, It's Provenance
Tougaloo's Woodworth Chapel hosted Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tougaloo students and faculty conducted some of the first sit-ins in Jackson. The Mississippi State Legislature tried to revoke the school's charter in 1964 precisely because of the college's role in the movement. When you write about why Tougaloo, connect your own sense of social purpose to that specific history - not to a generic HBCU mission. Admission readers here notice when applicants have actually done the research. Citing the college's civil rights archives and what they represent signals a genuine level of engagement that generic "community and excellence" language does not.
Research the Honors Program Before You Apply
Tougaloo runs a structured Honors Program that provides a more rigorous academic track with enhanced mentorship and research access - including pathways to the nine-week paid Bernstein Scholars research program in partnership with Brown. Students who enter with strong GPAs and genuine research or academic interests are the natural fit. If you're coming in with a 3.5+ and serious STEM or social science ambitions, mention the Honors Program and the Bernstein connection explicitly in your application. Students who arrive knowing these pathways exist almost always engage with them more successfully than those who discover them sophomore year.
File FAFSA Early and Understand the Net Price Reality
Tougaloo's sticker tuition runs approximately $12,000/year - well below comparable private institutions - and the average net price after aid is around $15,663, meaning aid packages frequently add fees beyond tuition. About 41% of Tougaloo students receive Pell Grants, which signals a heavily need-based aid environment. File FAFSA as early as possible; Tougaloo's financial aid availability is closely tied to federal and state grant eligibility. Students who miss the early FAFSA window often find their aid package is thinner in their first year even if their need would have qualified them for more.
Expert Insight:
Tougaloo's six-year graduation rate runs between 30?40% depending on the cohort measured - among the lower figures nationally for private liberal arts colleges. The college's strong freshman retention rate (~71?83% across sources) suggests most students want to stay, but completion rates tell a different story. Before enrolling, students should ask directly about graduation planning, four-year degree maps, and what support services look like for students who are off-track after sophomore year. The Brown partnership and HBCU mission are genuine - but finish rates require a candid conversation.
Tougaloo College Profile
Full Name
Tougaloo College
City
Tougaloo
State
Mississippi
ZIP Code
39174
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Tougaloo College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Tougaloo College 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. Tougaloo College 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 Tougaloo College is $44,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 5.42%.
How much does a degree from Tougaloo College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Tougaloo College is $22,570. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Tougaloo College is much less than this.
61.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 58 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Tougaloo College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Tougaloo College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Tougaloo College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Tougaloo College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $34,724. An average Tougaloo College 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 Tougaloo College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | 910 | 16 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston, ME | 910 | NA |
| Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park, MD | 920 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Tougaloo College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Tougaloo College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Tougaloo College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Tougaloo College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $34,724 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $22,570 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
61.8% of students at this university receive a Pell Grant — free money that does not need to be repaid. Your chances of need-based aid are strong. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible and list this institution as your choice to be considered for maximum aid.
The acceptance rate of Tougaloo College is 53.2% 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 2.8. 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 2.5, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.5, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.4 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 2.8, 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 Tougaloo College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 940 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 900–970.
The application fee for Tougaloo College is 25. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
The scholarship priority deadline is March 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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