Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
South Orange, New Jersey
78.9% Acceptance Rate
Seton Hall University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.9%Acceptance Rate
3.64Avg GPA
1308Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$64,996Annual Cost
$70,196Grad Salary
30.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.9%
Avg GPA
3.64
Avg SAT
1308
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1220–1400
ACT Middle 50%
27–31
Need-Based Aid
30.3% receive Pell
Seton Hall University is a private, Catholic, research-intensive university in New Jersey known for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages research, critical inquiry, and professional success. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a premier choice for students aiming to achieve their potential.
Seton Hall University Acceptance Rate
Seton Hall University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 78.9% 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 — 78.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Seton Hall University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Seton Hall University is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 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.
Seton Hall University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Seton Hall University is 3.64. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.34 and 3.64? 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 3.84–4.04.Seton Hall 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
3.64 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.24 – 3.43
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.23
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No school-specific supplemental essay; only the Common App personal statement is required as the essay component, which is explicitly listed as a holistic review factor alongside grades, test scores, references, and demonstrated interest.
- Two required letters of recommendation: one from a guidance counselor and one from a teacher, per SHU's own FAQ - a specific count frequently misreported by third-party aggregators.
- Demonstrated interest is explicitly named as an important admissions factor per SHU's own FAQ; campus visits, open houses, and email engagement are specifically cited as tracked signals.
- 7-year Joint Bachelor's/MD program available in partnership with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine; Nursing program ranked in the top 5% nationally; School of Diplomacy and International Relations is one of a small number of such dedicated undergraduate schools in the US.
- 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 Seton Hall University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Seton Hall 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.
Seton Hall University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Seton Hall University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Seton Hall University Without SAT or ACT?
Seton Hall University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Seton Hall University Average SAT Score: 1308
The average SAT score of admitted students at Seton Hall University is 1308 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1308 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Seton Hall 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 1220, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Seton Hall 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 | 650 | 600 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 660 | 620 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1308 | 1220 | 1400 |
Below 1220, you're behind most admitted students; at 1400 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 1300
Can I get into Seton Hall University with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Seton Hall 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.
Seton Hall University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Seton Hall University is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — 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 | 28 | 26 | 30 |
| ACT English | 31 | 27 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Can I get into Seton Hall University with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Seton Hall University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 Seton Hall University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Seton Hall University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Seton Hall University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Don't confuse this school with Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania - a real, frequent collision
Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ, Catholic, founded 1856) and Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA, Catholic) are distinct institutions with similar names that generate genuine confusion in search results and sometimes in student materials. Confirm with the student that they mean the New Jersey institution, the oldest diocesan university in the United States, before finalizing any school-specific content.
Treat the personal essay as a full holistic factor, not a formality
Per Seton Hall's own admissions FAQ and checklist, the essay is explicitly named as a genuine component of holistic review alongside grades, test scores, demonstrated interest, and references - not a box-checking exercise. Since SHU requires no school-specific supplemental essay beyond the Common App personal statement, this single essay carries more relative weight than it would at schools with multiple supplements that collectively round out the picture.
Engage with demonstrated interest since SHU explicitly names it as a factor
Seton Hall's own FAQ states directly that demonstrated interest "is an important part of the application review process" - campus visits, open houses, and reading SHU emails are all cited by name as signals the admissions office tracks. For any student who has SHU as a genuine top choice, these low-cost engagement steps are specifically worth taking rather than assuming interest is implied by applying.
For pre-health students, build long-term awareness of the 7-year BS/MD pathway
SHU's Interprofessional Health Sciences campus in Clifton/Nutley (a separate physical location from the main South Orange campus) houses the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the College of Nursing, ranked in the top 5% of nursing programs nationally. In partnership with Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, SHU offers a direct-admission 7-year Joint Bachelor's/MD program - a distinct, accelerated pre-health pathway with its own separate application requirements, distinct from the standard undergraduate process.
Expert Insight:
Two recommendation letters are required (one from a guidance counselor, one from a teacher) - a specific, named count confirmed in SHU's own FAQ, but frequently understated or misreported by third-party sources. Confirm this directly before a student submits what they think is a complete application, since a missing required recommendation could delay review or admission.
Seton Hall University Profile
Full Name
Seton Hall University
City
South Orange
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
07079-2697
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Seton Hall University Degree Worth It?
Whether Seton Hall University 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $79,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.58%.
How much does a degree from Seton Hall University Cost?
The sticker price is $64,996/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
30.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 51.2% take federal loans at Seton Hall University — file your FAFSA early and list Seton Hall University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Seton Hall University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $70,196 — about 73% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Seton Hall University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Seton Hall University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Seton Hall University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Seton Hall University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Seton Hall University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Seton Hall University run about $70,196 a year.
At about $64,996 a year, Seton Hall University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 30.3% receive a Pell Grant at Seton Hall University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 78.9%, Seton Hall University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Seton Hall University average a 3.64 GPA.
Seton Hall University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.34 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.24, Seton Hall 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 Seton Hall University — aim above 1308, ideally within the 1220–1400 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Seton Hall University is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
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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