Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Creighton University — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Omaha, Nebraska 72.3% Acceptance Rate

Creighton University Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Omaha, Nebraska 68178 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.creighton.edu/

Creighton University — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

72.3%Acceptance Rate
3.84Avg GPA
1296Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$61,046Annual Cost
$73,911Grad Salary
5.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.3%
Avg GPA
3.84
Avg SAT
1296
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1400
ACT Middle 50%
24–30
Need-Based Aid
5.2% receive Pell

Creighton University is a prestigious, private Catholic Jesuit university in Nebraska 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.

Creighton University Acceptance Rate

Creighton University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 72.3% each year.

What Creighton 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
Creighton University Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.84 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.39
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Creighton University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

The application deadline for Creighton University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.

Key Admission Dates

⏳ 82 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I NEXT UP
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 15
November 1, 2026Scholarship Deadline

💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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.

Creighton University GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Creighton University is 3.84. 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 3.54 and 3.84, 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 4.04–4.24.

Creighton University 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
3.84 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.64 – 3.83
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.44 – 3.63
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.43
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • One required essay for all applicants (a "why Creighton" prompt); test-optional for undergraduate admission.
  • Acceptance rate reported in the 72%?80% range depending on source; early acceptance rate around 86%.
  • One of 28 Jesuit universities in the US; strong internal pipeline into its own medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing schools.
  • 98% of the Class of 2025 were employed or in graduate/professional programs within six months of graduation.
  • 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 Creighton University

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Creighton University's verified institutional data

--%
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.

Creighton University Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Creighton University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Creighton University Without SAT or ACT?

Creighton University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.

Creighton University Average SAT Score: 1296

The average SAT score of admitted students at Creighton University is 1296 on the 1600-point scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Creighton University SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1296 — Slightly Competitive

This sits close to the national average SAT score.

SAT Math
650
SAT Reading
655
Composite
1296
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Creighton 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 Creighton 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

SAT score percentiles for Creighton University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math650600700
SAT Reading655610700
SAT Composite129612101400

Below 1210, you're behind most admitted students; at 1400 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 1300

Can I get into Creighton University with a 1400 SAT?

A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Creighton 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.

Creighton University ACT Requirements

The average ACT score at Creighton University is 27.

ACT Competitiveness

Creighton University ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive

This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for Creighton University
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math262329
ACT English282332
ACT Composite272430

Can I get into Creighton University with a 30 ACT?

A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Creighton 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 Creighton University.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 27

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Creighton University

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Creighton University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.

Write a genuine "why Creighton" essay

Name specific labs, research centers, or programs, and engage with Creighton's Jesuit identity even if you're not religious - this is the one required essay for all applicants.

Aim roughly 75% of your essay at tangible reasons, 25% at values

This ratio reflects what Creighton admissions actually rewards - mostly academic/extracurricular specifics, with genuine mission alignment layered in.

Go test-optional confidently if scores are weak

Creighton doesn't require test scores, and GPA carries significant weight in the holistic review regardless.

Name Creighton's own pre-health pipeline if relevant

Creighton feeds many undergrads into its own medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing schools - naming that pipeline signals genuine institutional fit.

Expert Insight:

Applicants sometimes submit a generic "why this college" essay that could apply to any Jesuit school - Creighton specifically expects engagement with its Jesuit identity and pre-health pipeline, and generic essays are a common miss here.

Creighton University Profile

Full Name
Creighton University
City
Omaha
State
Nebraska
ZIP Code
68178
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

Is a Creighton University Degree Worth It?

Creighton University offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.

The average household income among admitted students is $68,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.54%.

How much does a degree from Creighton University Cost?

The sticker price is $61,046/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.

5.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 44.6% take federal loans at Creighton University. File your FAFSA early and list Creighton University as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Creighton University Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $73,911. That's about 82% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$61,046Annual Cost
5.2%Pell Grant
44.6%Federal Loan
$73,911Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Creighton University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 1251 26
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1261 26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ 1256 27
Biola University La Mirada, CA 1258 27
Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA 1278 26
Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, CA 1277 29
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 1277 27
Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FL 1256 27
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL 1256 27
Florida Southern College Lakeland, FL 1263 28
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Creighton University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1287 28
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA 1303 27
United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT 1290 28
University of Delaware Newark, DE 1297 29
Rollins College Winter Park, FL 1304 29
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Creighton University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Hendrix College Conway, AR 1336 29
Chapman University Orange, CA 1353 30
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA 1367 29
Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA 1367 32
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO 1353 31

Degree Programs at Creighton University

Bachelor Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Creighton University Admissions

Median graduate earnings at Creighton University run about $73,911 a year.

At about $61,046 a year, Creighton University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.

Pell Grant data isn't published for Creighton University. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.

At 72.3%, Creighton University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Admitted students at Creighton University average a 3.84 GPA.

Creighton University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.54 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

Below 3.44, Creighton 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 Creighton University — aim above 1296, ideally within the 1210–1400 range admitted students typically fall in.

The application deadline for Creighton University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.

The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 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.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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