Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Mahwah, New Jersey
73.2% Acceptance Rate
Ramapo College of New Jersey — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.2%Acceptance Rate
3.47Avg GPA
1190Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$30,176Annual Cost
$67,541Grad Salary
26.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.2%
Avg GPA
3.47
Avg SAT
1190
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1120–1270
ACT Middle 50%
21–26
Avg Net Price
$20,360
Need-Based Aid
26.7% receive Pell
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public liberal arts college known for its commitment to academic excellence, personalized education, and experiential learning. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in an inclusive and supportive environment, the college encourages critical inquiry, interdisciplinary study, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing a high-value education that prepares students for leadership and success makes it a premier choice for those seeking a well-rounded liberal arts experience.
Ramapo College of New Jersey Acceptance Rate
Ramapo College of New Jersey takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 73.2% each year.
What Ramapo College of New Jersey 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 — 73.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.02
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Ramapo College of New Jersey Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Ramapo College of New Jersey (Early Action I — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 98 days left — Early Action I
Early Action I
November 1
Early Action II
December 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2027/02/01) 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.
Ramapo College of New Jersey GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Ramapo College of New Jersey is 3.47. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.17–3.47 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 3.67–3.87.Ramapo College of New Jersey GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.47 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.07 – 3.26
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.06
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional for all undergraduate majors and 4+1 programs except four health-professions articulation tracks.
- December 15 Early Action deadline doubles as priority scholarship deadline and final date for Nursing/Honors/ENHANCE applicants.
- Average admitted GPA is 3.4; public liberal arts college, part of NJ's public higher ed system.
- FAFSA school code 009344; Social Security Number must be included on Common App to link FAFSA correctly.
- 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 Ramapo College of New Jersey
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Ramapo College of New Jersey'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.
Ramapo College of New Jersey Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Ramapo College of New Jersey — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Ramapo College of New Jersey Without SAT or ACT?
Ramapo College of New Jersey considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Ramapo College of New Jersey Average SAT Score: 1190
Admitted students at Ramapo College of New Jersey average a 1190 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1190 — Less Competitive
A 1190 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Ramapo College of New Jersey allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1120? A retake is worth it at Ramapo College of New Jersey — 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 | 560 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 600 | 560 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1190 | 1120 | 1270 |
A score under 1120 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1270+ 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 1200
Can I get into Ramapo College of New Jersey with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Ramapo College of New Jersey'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.
Ramapo College of New Jersey ACT Requirements
Ramapo College of New Jersey's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 26 |
Can I get into Ramapo College of New Jersey with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Ramapo College of New Jersey'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, 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, Ramapo College of New Jersey weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Ramapo College of New Jersey
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Ramapo College of New Jersey is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Target an Articulation Program If You Want Med/Dental/Pharmacy Early
Ramapo is test-optional for nearly everything, but its joint programs (Biology/Dental with LECOM, Biology/Optometry with SUNY, Biology/Osteopathy with LECOM, Biology/Pharmacy with LECOM) are the exception - these require test scores and a separate, more rigorous bar. If a health-professional track interests you, apply directly into the articulation program as a first-year, not as a later add-on.
Apply to College Honors Within the Common App, Not After
The Honors Program application lives inside the Common App itself - you choose 2 of 3 essay prompts (800 words each) only if you answer "yes" to the Honors interest question. Missing this step at initial application means missing the program window entirely, since it isn't a separate later application.
Hit the December 15 Early Action Deadline for Priority Scholarship Money
December 15 is simultaneously the Early Action deadline, the priority scholarship deadline, and the final deadline for Nursing, Honors, and ENHANCE program applicants - treat this single date as non-negotiable if you want any of those tracks, rather than assuming you can apply later at "regular" pace.
Use the Holistic Review Language Literally
Ramapo states explicitly it looks at how you "balance academic and non-academic responsibilities" - part-time employment and family obligations are named directly as factors it values, not just extracurricular clubs. If you work or have caregiving responsibilities, describe that concretely in your essay rather than omitting it as "not impressive enough."
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes assume test-optional means test-blind everywhere at Ramapo - but the four articulation programs require scores, and skipping this distinction can mean quietly getting funneled out of a competitive health-professions track without realizing test scores were the actual gate.
Ramapo College of New Jersey Profile
Full Name
Ramapo College of New Jersey
City
Mahwah
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07430-1680
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Ramapo College of New Jersey Degree Worth It?
Whether Ramapo College of New Jersey is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $88,600, and graduates see a 3.04% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey Cost?
Listed tuition runs $30,176/year at Ramapo College of New Jersey; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $20,360.
At Ramapo College of New Jersey, 26.7% receive a Pell Grant and 39.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Ramapo College of New Jersey on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Ramapo College of New Jersey Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates report a median income of $67,541, about 66% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Ramapo College of New Jersey. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Ramapo College of New Jersey. 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 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Ramapo College of New Jersey. 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 Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Ramapo College of New Jersey
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Ramapo College of New Jersey Admissions
Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates earn a moderate median salary of $67,541/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Ramapo College of New Jersey is moderate, around $30,176/year; many students supplement with aid.
26.7% of Ramapo College of New Jersey students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Ramapo College of New Jersey's acceptance rate is 73.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Ramapo College of New Jersey students is 3.47, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.17 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.07 or below makes admission tougher at Ramapo College of New Jersey, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Ramapo College of New Jersey weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1190, and within the 1120–1270 range, keeps you competitive.
Ramapo College of New Jersey's deadline is November 1 (Early Action I).
Ramapo College of New Jersey charges an application fee of 65; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship: 2027/02/01 — that's Ramapo College of New Jersey'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.
Explore Other Options
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