Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kirksville, Missouri
80% Acceptance Rate
Truman State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80%Acceptance Rate
3.81Avg GPA
1249Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$23,420Annual Cost
$56,280Grad Salary
15.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80%
Avg GPA
3.81
Avg SAT
1249
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1126–1318
ACT Middle 50%
23–29
Avg Net Price
$12,030
Need-Based Aid
15.3% receive Pell
Truman State University Truman State University, founded in 1867 in Kirksville, Missouri, is a public liberal arts university recognized for academic excellence. As Missouri's only highly selective public liberal arts institution, Truman offers a comprehensive curriculum grounded in the arts and sciences. The 210-acre campus features modern facilities like the Science Hall and the newly renovated Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center. Truman maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio and consistently ranks among the top public universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. The university is particularly known for its strong undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines.
Truman takes pride in its personalized approach to education within a public university setting. All students complete a liberal studies program that emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. The campus features the beautiful Georgian-style Kirk Memorial and the 80,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center. Truman's athletic teams, the Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division II as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Recent additions include the new Health Sciences Building. Truman's combination of academic rigor, affordability, and close-knit community makes it one of the Midwest's premier public liberal arts universities.
Truman State University Acceptance Rate
Truman State University (Truman) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 80% 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 — 80% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.81 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.61 – 3.80
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.36
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Truman State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Truman 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
⏳ 180 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Truman 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.
Truman GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Truman is 3.81. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.51 and 3.81, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
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 4.01–4.21.Truman GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.81 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.61 – 3.80
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.41 – 3.60
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.40
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- TruMerit Automatic Admission allows some students to skip the admission essay; essay still required for scholarship review.
- Test-optional overall, but nursing applicants must submit a test score.
- Acceptance rate reported inconsistently across sources (16-84%, depending on data source/year) - verify current-cycle figures directly with admissions.
- Branded as Missouri's designated public liberal arts and sciences university.
- 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 Truman
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Truman State 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.
Truman State University (Truman) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Truman is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Truman Without SAT or ACT?
Truman considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Truman State University Average SAT Score: 1249
The average SAT score of admitted students at Truman State University is 1249 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1249 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1318 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Truman State 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 1126, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Truman. 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 | 612 | 553 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 611 | 573 | 648 |
| SAT Composite | 1249 | 1126 | 1318 |
Below 1126, you're behind most admitted students; at 1318 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 1250
Can I get into Truman State University (Truman) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Truman'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.
Truman State University (Truman) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Truman is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 29 |
Can I get into Truman State University with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Truman'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 Truman.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Truman
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Truman isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Check if TruMerit Automatic Admission lets you skip the essay entirely
If you qualify for TruMerit Automatic Admission (based on GPA/test formula), you can skip the admission essay altogether. Confirm your eligibility first, since writing an unnecessary essay wastes time you could spend on the required scholarship essay instead.
Submit the essay anyway for scholarship consideration
Even if you qualify to skip it for admission, all students are required to submit an essay for competitive scholarship review. Skipping it because you're auto-admitted means leaving scholarship money on the table.
Know nursing applicants can't go test-optional
If you're applying to the nursing major, you must submit an ACT or SAT score regardless of Truman's general test-optional policy. Confirm this before deciding to skip testing, since it's a program-specific exception, not a general rule.
Frame your essay around interdisciplinary thinking, not your major alone
Truman brands itself as Missouri's designated public liberal arts university and looks for applicants who connect ideas across fields. Reference a specific academic program or cross-disciplinary interest, not just "I want to study X here."
Expert Insight:
Because Truman offers an automatic-admission pathway, some students assume the whole process is formulaic. It isn't: the same students still compete for TruMerit and other scholarships through a genuinely holistic essay and activities review.
Truman Profile
Full Name
Truman State University (Truman)
City
Kirksville
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63501-4221
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Truman Degree Worth It?
At $23,420/year against a $56,280 median graduate salary, Truman is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $64,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.82%.
How much does a degree from Truman Cost?
The sticker price is $23,420/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $12,030.
15.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 27.5% take federal loans at Truman. File your FAFSA early and list Truman as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Truman Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,280. That's about 39% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Truman State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Truman State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Truman State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Truman
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Truman Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Truman State University run about $56,280 a year.
At about $23,420 a year, Truman State University is on the more affordable end.
Truman State University's Pell Grant rate of 15.3% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 80%, Truman State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Truman State University average a 3.81 GPA.
Truman State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.51 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.41, Truman State 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 Truman State University — aim above 1249, ideally within the 1126–1318 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Truman State University is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 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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