Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Louis, Missouri
81.5% Acceptance Rate
Saint Louis University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.5%Acceptance Rate
3.95Avg GPA
1326Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$69,125Annual Cost
$70,783Grad Salary
15.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.5%
Avg GPA
3.95
Avg SAT
1326
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1430
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Need-Based Aid
15.4% receive Pell
Saint Louis University is a prestigious, private Catholic Jesuit university in Missouri known for its commitment to academic excellence, research, and service. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages innovation, leadership, and professional development. Its focus on providing a transformative, high-value education makes it a top-tier choice for students seeking to achieve their academic and professional goals in a values-based setting.
Saint Louis University Acceptance Rate
Saint Louis University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 81.5% 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 — 81.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.95 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.75 – 3.94
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.50
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Louis University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Saint Louis University is November 3 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 88 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 3
Decision by: December 1
Early Decision II
January 16
Decision by: February 1
Regular Decision
April 1
Decision by: April 15
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholars Program: 2026/01/05 (Saint Louis University)) 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.
Saint Louis University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Saint Louis University is 3.95. 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 3.65 and 3.95, 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 4.15–4.35.Saint Louis University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.95 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.75 – 3.94
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.55 – 3.74
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.54
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee for undergraduate admission via Common App, Coalition App, or SLU's own portal.
- Test-optional, but SLU does not superscore - submit one complete sitting's composite and subscores.
- Music program requires an audition (on-campus or video via Get Accept'd); Studio Art requires a SlideRoom portfolio.
- Discipline-specific test-score deadlines: Jan. 5 for flight science, Jan. 12 for nursing/PT/OT - earlier than general Regular Decision.
- 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 Saint Louis University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Louis 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.
Saint Louis University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Saint Louis University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Saint Louis University Without SAT or ACT?
Saint Louis University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Louis University Average SAT Score: 1326
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Louis University is 1326 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1326 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1430 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Louis 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 1210, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Saint Louis University. 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 | 660 | 600 | 720 |
| SAT Reading | 660 | 610 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1326 | 1210 | 1430 |
Below 1210, you're behind most admitted students; at 1430 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 1350
Can I get into Saint Louis University with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of Saint Louis University'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.
Saint Louis University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Saint Louis University is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — 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 | 28 | 25 | 30 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into Saint Louis University with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Saint Louis University'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 Saint Louis University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Saint Louis University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Saint Louis University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Match your submission method to your program, not the general app
SLU's general freshman application only requires a personal essay (via Common App or SLU's own portal) - but Music program applicants must additionally audition, either on campus or via a video audition submitted through Get Accept'd, and Studio Art applicants must submit a portfolio through SlideRoom. Confirm which path applies to your intended major as soon as you start the application, since these run on separate timelines from the academic file.
SLU does not superscore - pick your single best sitting, don't mix and match
Unlike most peer schools, SLU explicitly states it will not combine your highest section scores across different SAT or ACT sittings; it evaluates the full composite and subscores from one test date. If your highest Math score came from a March sitting but your highest Reading came from June, don't assume SLU will recombine them - decide which single complete sitting is strongest overall before submitting, or retest to improve one full sitting rather than relying on a patchwork.
If you're applying to flight science, nursing, PT, or OT, track separate test-score deadlines
Even though SLU is test-optional broadly, test scores for flight science applicants must arrive by Jan. 5, and for nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy applicants by Jan. 12 - both earlier than the general Regular Decision deadline. If you're applying test-inclusive to one of these programs, treat these as hard program deadlines, not flexible general-admission ones.
Use the fee-free structure to apply Early Decision if SLU is genuinely your top choice
SLU charges no application fee through the Common App, Coalition App, or its own portal, which removes the usual cost barrier to committing early. If SLU is a clear first choice, Early Decision I (essays finalized by Nov. 3) secures merit scholarship information alongside your admission decision and removes the multi-month wait - a real advantage at a school where merit aid is awarded automatically with admission.
Expert Insight:
The recurring SLU mistake is assuming the school superscores like most peers and self-reporting a "best combination" of section scores from different test dates. SLU asks for the composite and all subscores from each completed sitting - submitting a fragmented best-of record can read as inconsistent rather than as your highest achievement.
Saint Louis University Profile
Full Name
Saint Louis University
City
Saint Louis
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63103-2097
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Saint Louis University Degree Worth It?
Whether Saint Louis 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $72,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.04%.
How much does a degree from Saint Louis University Cost?
The sticker price is $69,125/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
15.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 31.8% take federal loans at Saint Louis University. File your FAFSA early and list Saint Louis University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Saint Louis University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $70,783. That's about 74% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Louis University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Louis University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Louis University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
Degree Programs at Saint Louis University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Louis University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Louis University run about $70,783 a year.
At about $69,125 a year, Saint Louis University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Saint Louis University's Pell Grant rate of 15.4% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 81.5%, Saint Louis University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Louis University average a 3.95 GPA.
Saint Louis University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.65 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.55, Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis University — aim above 1326, ideally within the 1210–1430 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Saint Louis University is November 3 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 1.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholars Program: 2026/01/05 (Saint Louis University). 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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