Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Charles, Missouri
65.9% Acceptance Rate
Lindenwood University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
65.9%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1120Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$33,442Annual Cost
$53,278Grad Salary
28.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
65.9%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1120
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1150
ACT Middle 50%
19–24
Need-Based Aid
28.9% receive Pell
Lindenwood University, founded in 1827, is Missouri's comprehensive university with strengths in business and arts. The St. Charles campus features the new Scheidegger Center. Lindenwood's 'Accelerated Degree Options' serve working adults.
Lindenwood University Acceptance Rate
Lindenwood University is moderately selective — 65.9% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Lindenwood University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 65.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lindenwood University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Lindenwood 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 30 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 127 days left — Rolling
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Lindenwood 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.
Rolling
November 30
Rolling
November 30
Rolling
May 30
Rolling
May 30
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Lindenwood University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lindenwood University is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 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 3.62–3.82.Lindenwood University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional (declare status at time of application); acceptance rate roughly 57%, moderately selective.
- Located on a 500-acre campus in St. Charles, MO, founded 1827/1832 depending on source; second-oldest higher-ed institution west of the Mississippi.
- Recently transitioned to NCAA Division I (FCS), Ohio Valley Conference.
- Designated Military Friendly and Yellow Ribbon School with a dedicated Veterans Affairs Center.
- 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 Lindenwood University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lindenwood 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.
Lindenwood University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Lindenwood 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 Lindenwood University Without SAT or ACT?
Lindenwood University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lindenwood University Average SAT Score: 1120
Admitted students at Lindenwood University average a 1120 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1120 — Less Competitive
A 1120 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1150 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lindenwood University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1080? A retake is worth it at Lindenwood 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1120 | 1080 | 1150 |
A score under 1080 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1150+ 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 Lindenwood University with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Lindenwood 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.
Lindenwood University ACT Requirements
Lindenwood University's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 24 |
Can I get into Lindenwood University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Lindenwood 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, 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, Lindenwood University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lindenwood University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Lindenwood University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Submit the personal essay for the Day program even though test scores are optional
Lindenwood's traditional Undergraduate Day program requires an application, personal essay, transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores (test-optional status must be declared at time of application). Since the essay isn't optional here the way testing is, don't treat it as an afterthought just because Lindenwood is test-flexible.
Hit Missouri's February 1 priority FAFSA deadline even if you're out of state
Lindenwood lists Missouri's priority financial aid deadline as February 1, tied to when FAFSA becomes available (on or before December 1). Out-of-state applicants should still hit this window since it affects institutional aid consideration, not just Missouri state aid.
Leverage Lindenwood's recent NCAA Division I status if you're an athlete
Lindenwood transitioned to NCAA Division I (FCS) competing in the Ohio Valley Conference, a relatively recent and notable shift for a school of its size. Student-athletes should reach out to coaches directly referencing this D-I transition, since roster-building is still very active across many of its 20+ sports.
Ask about the Veterans Affairs Center and Yellow Ribbon benefits if you're military-connected
Lindenwood is a designated Military Friendly School and Yellow Ribbon School with a dedicated VA Center on the St. Charles campus, plus Army and Air Force ROTC. Veterans and military families should route financial and transition questions to this specific office rather than general admissions.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes submit a rushed, generic personal essay because Lindenwood is test-optional and moderately selective (around 57% acceptance), assuming the essay carries little weight. Since the essay is a firm requirement for the Day program, a thin or generic essay is an easy way to undercut an otherwise solid transcript.
Lindenwood University Profile
Full Name
Lindenwood University
City
Saint Charles
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63301-1695
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Lindenwood University Degree Worth It?
At $33,442/year against a $53,278 median graduate salary, Lindenwood University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,700, and graduates see a 3.2% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Lindenwood University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $33,442/year at Lindenwood University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Lindenwood University, 28.9% receive a Pell Grant and 51.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Lindenwood University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Lindenwood University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Lindenwood University graduates report a median income of $53,278, about 31% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Lindenwood University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lindenwood University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lindenwood University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Lindenwood University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lindenwood University Admissions
Lindenwood University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $53,278/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Lindenwood University is moderate, around $33,442/year; many students supplement with aid.
28.9% of Lindenwood University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Lindenwood University's acceptance rate is 65.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lindenwood University students is 3.42, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.12 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lindenwood University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.02 or below makes admission tougher at Lindenwood University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Lindenwood University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1120, and within the 1080–1150 range, keeps you competitive.
Lindenwood University's deadline is November 30 (Rolling). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
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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