Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
West Long Branch, New Jersey
89.5% Acceptance Rate
Monmouth University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.5%Acceptance Rate
3.57Avg GPA
1204Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$60,113Annual Cost
$67,991Grad Salary
30.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.5%
Avg GPA
3.57
Avg SAT
1204
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1125–1270
ACT Middle 50%
24–28
Need-Based Aid
30.4% receive Pell
Monmouth University is a private, coastal university in New Jersey that balances a liberal arts core with strong professional and research programs. Admissions are holistic, evaluating academic potential, personal character, and the quality of the applicant's high school preparation. The university seeks intellectually curious students who are ready to participate in faculty-led research and community-based internships.
Prospective students should demonstrate a clear record of academic success in challenging coursework. Highlighting involvement in service-learning or professional-style extracurriculars is a great way to show institutional fit. Applicants should use their essays to articulate how they will leverage Monmouth's unique location and resources to achieve their long-term career goals.
Monmouth University Acceptance Rate
Monmouth University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 89.5% 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 — 89.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.12
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Monmouth University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Monmouth University is November 15 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 100 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
March 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/12/01) 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.
Monmouth University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Monmouth University is 3.57. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.27 and 3.57? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.77–3.97.Monmouth University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.17 – 3.36
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.16
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Monmouth is one of only three institutions in New Jersey offering a Physician Assistant program, and its MSPA fills a fixed 30-seat cohort via rolling CASPA-based admission with continued wait-list review even after the cohort is technically full.
- The undergraduate direct-entry BSN requires a program-specific essay distinct from the general application essay, plus a 2.75 GPA to remain in the program with only one permitted repeat of any math/science/nursing course below a C+.
- Direct-entry and certain graduate health programs (OT, PA, etc.) carry their own application deadlines distinct from general undergraduate admission - e.g., Physician Assistant (October 1), Occupational Therapy (April 26), Speech-Language Pathology (February 1).
- Monmouth offers both Traditional and Test Optional application review paths for the entering 2026 class, with test-optional applicants explicitly evaluated with no negative weighting for non-submission.
- 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 Monmouth University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Monmouth 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.
Monmouth University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Monmouth University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Monmouth University Without SAT or ACT?
Monmouth University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Monmouth University Average SAT Score: 1204
The average SAT score of admitted students at Monmouth University is 1204 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1204 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Monmouth 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 1125, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Monmouth 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 | 593 | 555 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 570 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1204 | 1125 | 1270 |
Below 1125, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 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 1200
Can I get into Monmouth University with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Monmouth 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.
Monmouth University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Monmouth University is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — 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 | 25 | 22 | 28 |
| ACT English | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 24 | 28 |
Can I get into Monmouth University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Monmouth 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 Monmouth University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Monmouth University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Monmouth University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
If you're applying to the direct-entry BSN, know that a program-specific essay is a genuine, separate admission requirement - not the general application essay repurposed
Monmouth's undergraduate nursing program requires applicants to submit a distinct essay "demonstrating interest in and knowledge of the nursing profession" as part of the direct-entry BSN application, separate from the general Monmouth application essay used for university admission. Write a nursing-specific essay grounded in concrete experience (shadowing, CNA work, patient-care volunteering) rather than repurposing your general application essay, since admissions readers are evaluating subject-specific knowledge and motivation, not general writing ability.
Protect your C+ floor in every math, science, and nursing course once you're in the BSN - Monmouth's repeat policy has almost no room for error
Monmouth's BSN policy allows a student who earns below a C+ to repeat that course only once; a second grade below C+ in any other math, science, or nursing course results in permanent removal from the BSN program. Treat any grade trending toward a C or below in these courses as an immediate red flag requiring tutoring or office hours - this policy leaves no cushion for a second stumble across different courses, only a single retake of the same course.
For the Physician Assistant program, apply through CASPA on Monmouth's internal early timeline (September 1), not the October 1 official deadline - and know the class fills competitively via rolling admission
Monmouth's MSPA runs rolling admissions where all 30 cohort seats are filled continuously as qualified candidates are interviewed, and the program explicitly recommends CASPA submission by September 1 to ensure verification completes before the October 1 hard deadline - applications sent directly to Monmouth (bypassing CASPA) are not considered at all. Submit your CASPA application by September 1 specifically, since the verification lag between CASPA submission and Monmouth's receipt is the real risk factor in a rolling, capacity-limited process.
If you're a strong student with an unclear pre-professional target, use Monmouth's Pre-Health Advising office to map required experience hours before applying to any of its 17 pre-professional tracks
Monmouth's own Pre-Health Advising guidance lists over 20 acceptable direct-patient-care roles (EMT, CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, etc.) for PA program applicants specifically, and flags that shadowing hours typically do not count toward direct-care hour totals - a distinction many applicants miss. Confirm with each specific program (not just Monmouth's own PA program, since this varies school to school) exactly which experiences count as direct patient care before logging hours you assume will qualify.
Expert Insight:
Because Monmouth's overall acceptance rate sits near 89% and the general application is test-optional and holistic, applicants sometimes assume every health-professions track inherits that same accessibility. The Physician Assistant program is a stark exception: it fills all 30 cohort seats through CASPA-routed, rolling, competitive review, requires a signed Technical Standards Acknowledgment Form, and explicitly will not consider any application submitted directly to Monmouth outside the CASPA system - a structural mismatch that trips up applicants who assume Monmouth's general accessibility extends to its graduate clinical programs.
Monmouth University Profile
Full Name
Monmouth University
City
West Long Branch
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07764-1898
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Monmouth University Degree Worth It?
Monmouth 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 $87,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.96%.
How much does a degree from Monmouth University Cost?
The sticker price is $60,113/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
30.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 61.1% take federal loans at Monmouth University. File your FAFSA early and list Monmouth University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Monmouth University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $67,991. That's about 67% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Monmouth University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Monmouth University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Monmouth University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
Degree Programs at Monmouth University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Monmouth University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Monmouth University run about $67,991 a year.
At about $60,113 a year, Monmouth University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 30.4% receive a Pell Grant at Monmouth University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 89.5%, Monmouth University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Monmouth University average a 3.57 GPA.
Monmouth University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.27 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.17, Monmouth 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 Monmouth University — aim above 1204, ideally within the 1125–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Monmouth University is November 15 for Early Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 60. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2025/12/01. 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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