Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Louis, Missouri
Harris-Stowe State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.04Avg GPA
$19,616Annual Cost
$31,088Grad Salary
72.9%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.04
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$13,459
Need-Based Aid
72.9% receive Pell
Harris-Stowe State University, founded in 1857 in Missouri, is a historically black university offering education, business, and STEM programs.
HSSU is unranked but maintains strong HBCU traditions. Its urban location in St. Louis enhances community engagement opportunities.
Harris-Stowe State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Harris-Stowe State University is inclusive by design: 100% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.04 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.84 – 3.03
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.59
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Harris-Stowe State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Harris-Stowe State University 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
Harris-Stowe State 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 (Priority scholarship deadlines vary by award) 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.
Harris-Stowe State College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Harris-Stowe State College is 3.04. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.24–3.44.Harris-Stowe State College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — 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
3.04 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.84 – 3.03
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.64 – 2.83
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.63
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Harris-Stowe is Missouri's only historically Black public university and markets itself as offering the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state; it participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange, offering discounted tuition to residents of 15 western states.
- The Anheuser-Busch School of Business carries a named corporate scholarship fund; HSSU also offers a dual-enrollment mechanical engineering pathway with Saint Louis University (SLU).
- A $500,000 gift from PENN Entertainment (part of a broader $4 million multi-HBCU STEM initiative) is funding a new STEM building and additional scholarships at HSSU as of 2024-2025.
- Freshmen residing 50+ miles from campus are required to live in campus housing with a meal plan; a $20 application fee, official transcripts, and (if under 30 college credits) ACT/SAT scores are required for freshman/transfer admission. HSSU was founded as a teacher's college in 1857.
- 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 Harris-Stowe State College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Harris-Stowe 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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Harris-Stowe State University (Harris-Stowe State College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Harris-Stowe State College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Harris-Stowe State College Without SAT or ACT?
Harris-Stowe State College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Harris-Stowe State College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Harris-Stowe State College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Know that HSSU is Missouri's only HBCU and the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state - leverage both facts directly
Harris-Stowe holds two distinct, citable positions: it's the only historically Black public university in St. Louis (and Missouri), and it markets itself as offering the most affordable bachelor's degree in the state. Reference this specific institutional identity - not generic "affordable HBCU" language - when discussing fit in an application or scholarship interview.
Target the Anheuser-Busch School of Business and its named corporate scholarship fund specifically
HSSU's School of Business carries the Anheuser-Busch name following a major corporate investment, and Anheuser-Busch separately established a dedicated scholarship fund for HSSU business students. Ask admissions directly about current Anheuser-Busch School of Business scholarship criteria and deadlines rather than treating HSSU as a generic regional option.
Use the dual-degree mechanical engineering partnership with Saint Louis University if pursuing engineering
HSSU offers a structured dual-enrollment mechanical engineering pathway in partnership with Saint Louis University (SLU), letting a student combine HSSU's affordability with SLU's engineering credential. Ask specifically about this dual-degree track and its GPA/course sequencing requirements before enrolling as a general STEM major.
Watch for STEM funding momentum - PENN Entertainment's $500,000 gift is building a new STEM facility
HSSU recently launched a STEM Capital Campaign backed by a $500,000 gift from PENN Entertainment (part of PENN's broader $4 million multi-HBCU STEM scholarship initiative), funding both a new STEM building and additional scholarships. A STEM-track applicant should ask directly about current scholarship rollout, since new facilities and dollars are actively being deployed.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume HSSU's essay requirement is generic - the essay prompt and expectations vary and should be checked directly on HSSU's current admissions page rather than assumed year to year, and while the school is broadly accessible (average admitted GPA around 2.8, test-optional), freshmen residing 50+ miles from St. Louis are required to live in campus housing with a meal plan, which affects total cost of attendance beyond tuition.
Harris-Stowe State College Profile
Full Name
Harris-Stowe State University (Harris-Stowe State College)
City
Saint Louis
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63103-2136
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Harris-Stowe State College Degree Worth It?
Whether Harris-Stowe State College 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 $43,600, and graduates see a 6.56% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Harris-Stowe State College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $19,616/year at Harris-Stowe State College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $13,459.
At Harris-Stowe State College, 72.9% receive a Pell Grant and 61.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Harris-Stowe State College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Harris-Stowe State College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Harris-Stowe State College graduates report a median income of $31,088, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Harris-Stowe State College
Bachelor Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Harris-Stowe State College Admissions
Harris-Stowe State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $31,088/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Harris-Stowe State University is relatively affordable, around $19,616/year.
72.9% of Harris-Stowe State University students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Harris-Stowe State University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
The average GPA of admitted Harris-Stowe State University students is 3.04, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.74 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Harris-Stowe State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.64 or below makes admission tougher at Harris-Stowe State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Harris-Stowe State University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Harris-Stowe 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 Priority scholarship deadlines vary by award — that's Harris-Stowe 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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