Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Jersey City, New Jersey
90.5% Acceptance Rate
Saint Peter's University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.5%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1060Avg SAT
$50,052Annual Cost
$57,815Grad Salary
54.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.5%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1060
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1090
Need-Based Aid
54.2% receive Pell
Saint Peter's University is a private, Jesuit institution in New Jersey that emphasizes academic rigor, service, and professional mentorship. Admissions are holistic, evaluating academic potential against a student's capacity for community engagement and service. The university seeks students who are looking for a supportive environment where faculty mentorship and experiential learning are central to the academic experience.
Applicants should highlight any history of volunteering or active community participation, as the university's mission is deeply rooted in service. Demonstrating a balance between academic achievement and ethical leadership is key. A strong application includes evidence of self-motivation and a clear desire to contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven campus community.
Saint Peter's University Acceptance Rate
Saint Peter's University (SPU) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 90.5% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 90.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Peter's University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Peter's University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SPU 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 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.
SPU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SPU is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.51–3.71.SPU 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
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- A Jesuit, Hispanic-Serving Institution in Jersey City, NJ with a distinct Academic Success Program (ASP) admission pathway for students who don't meet standard entry criteria - ASP excludes eligibility for the BSN nursing program.
- Member of NJTransfer.org with named partnerships with specific NJ community colleges offering scholarship incentives and internship access for transfer students.
- The Caulfield School of Education requires transfer applicants to maintain a 3.0+ GPA post-enrollment, complete specific foundational education courses, and pass a separate entrance interview.
- Acceptance rate figures vary dramatically across sources (58%-91%) - likely reflecting different populations; confirm which figure applies before relying on it.
- 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 SPU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Peter's 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.
Saint Peter's University (SPU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SPU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SPU Without SAT or ACT?
SPU neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Saint Peter's University Average SAT Score: 1060
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Peter's University is 1060 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1060 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1090 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Peter's 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 1020, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SPU. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1060 | 1020 | 1090 |
Below 1020, you're behind most admitted students; at 1090 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 Saint Peter's University (SPU) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of SPU'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 SPU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
SPU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Ask about the Academic Success Program if your profile falls short of standard admission
Saint Peter's Academic Success Program (ASP) admits students who show promise but don't meet general admission criteria, including a non-credit pre-college Summer Academy and mentored core Liberal Arts sections. Critically, ASP students are NOT eligible to transition into the BSN nursing program - a hard structural exclusion that matters enormously for any nursing-track applicant considering this pathway.
Use the named NJ community college partnerships if transferring
Saint Peter's is a member of NJTransfer.org and holds specific named partnerships with NJ community colleges offering scholarship incentives and internship access beyond a standard transfer application. Contact the Office of Admission directly to confirm which specific partnership applies to the sending institution, since benefits vary by partner school.
Understand the Caulfield School of Education's layered transfer requirements
Transfer applicants to the Caulfield School of Education must maintain a 3.0+ GPA after enrolling (not just at entry), complete specific foundational courses (ED-160 or ED-170/ED-203), AND pass a separate entrance interview with School of Education faculty - a set of requirements beyond general university admission that a transfer student should plan for well before applying.
Leverage pre-professional partnership pipelines for competitive fields
Saint Peter's maintains formal pre-professional partnerships with NJIT, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and the former UMDNJ for students interested in engineering, health sciences, or medical/dental tracks. A student targeting one of these fields should ask admissions specifically about the partnership pathway, which can offer a more direct route than applying independently to those institutions later.
Expert Insight:
Sources report wildly inconsistent acceptance rate figures for Saint Peter's - ranging from 58% to as high as 91% across different aggregators - likely reflecting a mix of undergraduate, graduate, and international-specific rates being conflated under one number. Verify the specific population (undergraduate domestic first-year vs. graduate vs. international) before citing a single acceptance rate to a student or family.
SPU Profile
Full Name
Saint Peter's University (SPU)
City
Jersey City
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07306-5997
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SPU Degree Worth It?
SPU 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 $63,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.93%.
How much does a degree from SPU Cost?
The sticker price is $50,052/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
54.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 33.2% take federal loans at SPU — file your FAFSA early and list SPU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SPU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $57,815 — about 42% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Peter's 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 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Peter's University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Peter's 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 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at SPU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SPU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Peter's University run about $57,815 a year.
At about $50,052 a year, Saint Peter's University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
With 54.2% of Saint Peter's University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming Saint Peter's University is the key move.
At 90.5%, Saint Peter's University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Peter's University average a 3.31 GPA.
Saint Peter's University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, Saint Peter's 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 Saint Peter's University — aim above 1060, ideally within the 1020–1090 range admitted students typically fall in.
Saint Peter's University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority: 2027/02/01. 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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