Creighton University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
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
Recommended Academic Profile
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💡 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:
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
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
✅ 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 Average SAT Score: 1296
The average SAT score of admitted students at Creighton University is 1296 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
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
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 650 | 600 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1296 | 1210 | 1400 |
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
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 | 26 | 23 | 29 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 30 |
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.
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.
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.
This ratio reflects what Creighton admissions actually rewards - mostly academic/extracurricular specifics, with genuine mission alignment layered in.
Creighton doesn't require test scores, and GPA carries significant weight in the holistic review regardless.
Creighton feeds many undergrads into its own medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing schools - naming that pipeline signals genuine institutional fit.
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
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.
Compare Similar Colleges
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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
