Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Madison, New Jersey
69.4% Acceptance Rate
Drew University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.4%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
1247Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$61,378Annual Cost
$63,646Grad Salary
27.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.4%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
1247
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1110–1320
ACT Middle 50%
25–31
Need-Based Aid
27.2% receive Pell
Drew University, founded in 1867, is New Jersey's premier liberal arts university with exceptional humanities and pre-med programs. The 186-acre University in the Forest campus includes the new Drew Forum for public lectures. Drew's 'NYC Semester' leverages proximity to Manhattan.
Drew University Acceptance Rate
At 69.4%, admission to Drew University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Drew 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
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Drew University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Drew University (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 95 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2027) 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.
Drew University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Drew University is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.30–3.50.Drew University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Located in Madison, NJ, about 47 minutes from New York City by train.
- Test-optional; personal statement required; letters of recommendation strongly recommended.
- Runs structured NYC immersive semesters: Wall Street, United Nations, Social Entrepreneurship, Contemporary Art, Communications and Media, Theatre.
- Home to the Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), including a Nobel Prize-winning Drew Fellow.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 Drew University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Drew University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Drew University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Drew University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Drew University Without SAT or ACT?
Drew University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Drew University Average SAT Score: 1247
Admitted students at Drew University average a 1247 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1247 — Slightly Competitive
A 1247 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Drew University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1110? A retake is worth it at Drew University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 595 | 550 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 620 | 560 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1247 | 1110 | 1320 |
A score under 1110 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1320+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Drew University with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Drew University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Drew University ACT Requirements
Drew University's admitted students average an ACT of 28.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive
An average of 28 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 31 |
Can I get into Drew University with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Drew University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Drew University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Drew University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Drew University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Use Drew's NYC semesters as your "why Drew" centerpiece
Drew runs immersive NYC semester programs - Wall Street, the United Nations, social entrepreneurship, and more - built around its 47-minute train ride to the city. Name a specific program and how it connects to your goals, rather than generic "I love New York" language.
Reference RISE if you're a science applicant
Drew's Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE) pairs undergrads with retired, world-class research scientists, including a Nobel laureate fellow. Naming RISE specifically shows real research into Drew's science program.
Submit the personal statement - it's required here
Unlike some test-optional peers, Drew's own checklist lists the personal statement as required alongside the transcript and evaluations. Test-optional doesn't mean everything else is optional too.
Consider Early Decision only if you mean it
Drew already admits around 68% of applicants, so if it's genuinely your top choice, ED can help - but don't apply ED just to boost your odds if you're not certain.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat Drew as just "a small college near New York" and write generic proximity essays. Drew's real differentiator is structured immersive semesters with dedicated faculty and site visits (UN, Wall Street) - a vague "I'll explore the city" essay misses what's actually distinctive.
Drew University Profile
Full Name
Drew University
City
Madison
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
7940
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Drew University Degree Worth It?
At $61,378/year against a $63,646 median graduate salary, Drew University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $89,500, and graduates see a 2.95% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Drew University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $61,378/year at Drew University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Drew University, 27.2% receive a Pell Grant and 57.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Drew University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Drew University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Drew University graduates report a median income of $63,646, about 57% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Drew University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| 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 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Drew 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 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Drew 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 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Drew University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Drew University Admissions
Drew University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,646/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Drew University runs high, at roughly $61,378+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
27.2% of Drew University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Drew University's acceptance rate is 69.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Drew University students is 3.1, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.8 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Drew University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.7 or below makes admission tougher at Drew University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Drew University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1247, and within the 1110–1320 range, keeps you competitive.
Drew University's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2027. That's Drew University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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