Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Rindge, New Hampshire
90.2% Acceptance Rate
Franklin Pierce University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.2%Acceptance Rate
2.97Avg GPA
1030Avg SAT
$61,955Annual Cost
$53,353Grad Salary
27.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.2%
Avg GPA
2.97
Avg SAT
1030
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
945–1140
Need-Based Aid
27.2% receive Pell
Franklin Pierce University is a private, liberal arts-focused institution in New Hampshire known for its hands-on approach to learning. Admissions are holistic, looking for students who are intellectually engaged and ready to participate in a collaborative learning environment. The college values applicants who have demonstrated leadership in their extracurriculars or community organizations.
Prospective students should emphasize their willingness to participate in small-group projects and experiential learning opportunities. A strong personal statement that reflects the student's values, career interests, and desire to grow within a supportive community will help the admissions committee identify if the applicant is a good fit. Highlighting extracurriculars that reflect leadership and ethical reflection is highly recommended.
Franklin Pierce University Acceptance Rate
Franklin Pierce University (FPU) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 90.2% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.97 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.77 – 2.96
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.52
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Franklin Pierce University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Franklin Pierce 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 August 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 6 days left — Regular
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
FPU 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.
Regular
August 1
Priority
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
FPU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at FPU is 2.97. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
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 3.17–3.37.FPU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.97 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.77 – 2.96
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.57 – 2.76
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.56
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Franklin Pierce's Direct Entry programs (Nursing, PA, PT) let undergraduates reserve a guaranteed graduate seat, contingent on annual re-evaluation of specific GPA and experiential requirements that can result in forfeiture if not maintained.
- PA Direct Entry requires 20 hours of PA shadowing, 500 hours of direct patient care, and a Leadership Skills for Healthcare Professions course completed in the last two undergraduate years.
- DPT Direct Entry applications are due May 15, a full year before expected program entry, requiring a 3.2 cumulative and prerequisite GPA to progress.
- PA and PT programs operate on two campuses (New Hampshire and Goodyear, Arizona), each requiring a separate application even under the same sponsoring institution.
- 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 FPU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Franklin Pierce 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.
Franklin Pierce University (FPU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if FPU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into FPU Without SAT or ACT?
FPU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Franklin Pierce University Average SAT Score: 1030
The average SAT score of admitted students at Franklin Pierce University is 1030 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1030 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1140 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Franklin Pierce 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 945, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at FPU. 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 | 508 | 455 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 535 | 490 | 580 |
| SAT Composite | 1030 | 945 | 1140 |
Below 945, you're behind most admitted students; at 1140 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 1050
Can I get into Franklin Pierce University (FPU) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of FPU'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for FPU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
FPU's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand that Direct Entry "reserves your seat" - but you can lose it
Franklin Pierce's Direct Entry programs (Nursing, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy) let undergraduates reserve a guaranteed graduate seat while still in their bachelor's degree, but these qualifications are evaluated annually, and failing to maintain them means forfeiting the guaranteed admission. Treat Direct Entry status as a standing commitment requiring semester-by-semester GPA and requirement tracking, not a one-time achievement you can coast on after acceptance.
Start your PA shadowing and patient care hours in your first two undergraduate years
Direct Entry PA progression requires 20 hours of PA-specific shadowing, 500 hours of direct patient care (including experience with rural or underserved populations), and a Leadership Skills for Healthcare Professions course taken during your last two undergraduate years - a lot to complete before senior year. Begin accumulating shadowing and patient care hours as early as freshman or sophomore year rather than waiting, since these are evaluated as progression requirements, not just application boosters.
Apply to DPT Direct Entry a full year before your expected start - the deadline is May 15 of the prior year
Franklin Pierce's DPT Direct Entry application must be completed by May 15 a full year before your expected program entry (e.g., May 15, 2025 for Fall 2026 entry) - an unusually early lead time most applicants don't anticipate. Mark this specific date on your calendar as a sophomore or junior, since missing it isn't a minor delay but a full-year setback.
Know that PA and PT programs run on two campuses - New Hampshire and Goodyear, Arizona
Franklin Pierce's PA and PT programs operate at both a New Hampshire and a Goodyear, Arizona campus, and applicants must submit separate applications for each campus they wish to apply to, even though both are part of the same sponsoring institution. If you're open to either location, submit distinct applications to both rather than assuming one application covers both campuses.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that Franklin Pierce's Direct Entry MEPN (Master's Entry Program in Nursing) requires a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 3.5 evaluated at the end of junior year of college, not at initial undergraduate admission - a student who was accepted into the Direct Entry track as a freshman but whose GPA has since dropped below this threshold by junior year can lose their reserved seat despite having been "accepted" years earlier.
FPU Profile
Full Name
Franklin Pierce University (FPU)
City
Rindge
State
New Hampshire
ZIP Code
03461-0060
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a FPU Degree Worth It?
At $61,955/year against a $53,353 median graduate salary, FPU 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 $72,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.92%.
How much does a degree from FPU Cost?
The sticker price is $61,955/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
27.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.2% take federal loans at FPU — file your FAFSA early and list FPU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a FPU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $53,353 — 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 Franklin Pierce University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Franklin Pierce University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 1037 | 20 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 1025 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Franklin Pierce University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
Degree Programs at FPU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About FPU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Franklin Pierce University run about $53,353 a year.
At about $61,955 a year, Franklin Pierce University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 27.2% receive a Pell Grant at Franklin Pierce University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 90.2%, Franklin Pierce University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Franklin Pierce University average a 2.97 GPA.
Franklin Pierce University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.67 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.57, Franklin Pierce 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 Franklin Pierce University — aim above 1030, ideally within the 945–1140 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Franklin Pierce University is August 1 for Regular applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 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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