Saint Elizabeth University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Saint Elizabeth University, originally founded as the College of Saint Elizabeth - the first four-year Catholic women's college in New Jersey - became coeducational in 2016. The university's nursing program operates in partnership with nearby Morristown Medical Center, featuring high-fidelity simulation labs.
The campus includes historic Henderson Hall (listed on the National Register) alongside modern additions like the Dolan Performance Hall. SEU maintains its Catholic identity through programs like the Center for Catholic Mission and Identity while serving a diverse student body with strong support for first-generation students.
Saint Elizabeth University Acceptance Rate
Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 77.2%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Recommended Academic Profile
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
SEU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SEU is 3.12. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.32-3.52 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.82 and 3.12, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
SEU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at SEU utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.12, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- NJ Transit Convent Station stop on campus; Midtown Direct line to Penn Station Manhattan (~50 minutes); located in Convent Station / Morris Township, NJ; founded 1899 by Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth; coeducational since 2016; university status granted 2020.
- SEU Promise Program: guaranteed six-month paid internship for graduates not employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation; 98% of undergrads receive some form of financial aid; 11:1 student-faculty ratio; ~560 undergrads.
- Anastasia Health Sciences Center: 12-bed simulation room, 6-room Patient Evaluation Clinic, high-fidelity mannequins, Anatomage Table; inaugural pre-licensure BSN and MS-PA cohorts admitted 2019; NCAA Division III United East Conference.
- Acceptance rate ~71% (US News/IPEDS); BigFuture reports 95% - treat the 71% figure as operative; test-optional; essay recommended but not required; free application; Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education on campus; first four-year Catholic college for women in New Jersey.
- The Rigor Metric: At SEU, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SEU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Elizabeth University's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into SEU Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SEU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SEU is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
The Convent Station NJ Transit stop sits on the SEU campus itself - on the Morris & Essex Lines Midtown Direct service, placing Penn Station Manhattan roughly 50 minutes away by train. For students pursuing internships, clinical placements, or networking in New York City while living in a small-campus environment, this is a genuine structural advantage over comparable small Catholic universities in northern New Jersey. Name this explicitly in your application if NYC access is part of your career plan. Internship hours at finance, healthcare, media, or nonprofit organizations in the city are logistically achievable in ways they simply aren't from campuses without direct rail.
SEU's Promise Program guarantees traditional undergraduate students a six-month paid internship if they are not employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. This is not a vague "career support" commitment - it's a specific, contractual institutional backstop tied to graduate outcomes. For students enrolling primarily in nursing, business, criminal justice, or psychology who are uncertain about the post-graduation job market, this program is a concrete risk-reduction mechanism. Ask admissions during your visit exactly how the program is administered, which employers participate, and what the internship placement process looks like in practice.
The Anastasia Health Sciences Center houses a 12-bed patient simulation room, six fully equipped examination rooms in a Patient Evaluation Clinic, high-fidelity computerized mannequins, and an Anatomage Table - a life-size interactive anatomical dissection tool. SEU also admitted its inaugural pre-licensure BSN and MS in Physician Assistant cohorts in 2019. For students comparing nursing programs, the simulation infrastructure here is substantive, not token. Ask specifically during a campus visit about clinical placement partnerships - Morristown Medical Center is the proximate major hospital system - and ask about NCLEX first-time pass rates for the most recent graduating cohort before committing.
SEU became fully coeducational for traditional undergraduates in 2016 and earned university status in 2020, after more than a century as the College of Saint Elizabeth, New Jersey's first four-year Catholic college for women. The university is still building its identity as a coed institution - men's basketball and soccer were only formed in 2016. This is relevant for prospective students in both directions: the campus retains a strong women's leadership ethos and Sisters of Charity mission identity that shapes culture, and male students should expect an environment still calibrating to a coeducational student body after many generations as a women's institution. Visit the campus and talk to current students of your gender before enrolling.
Saint Elizabeth's acceptance rate is consistently reported at ~71% (IPEDS-sourced, BigFuture reports 95%, which is likely a stale or mismeasured figure - treat the 71% as the operative number). However, the institution is small enough - ~560 undergraduates - that individual programs can have tighter internal capacity constraints than the overall acceptance rate suggests. Nursing, in particular, has clinical placement slot limits. Students admitted to SEU who declare nursing as their intended major should verify directly with the nursing department whether their admissions offer carries guaranteed entry into the clinical program or requires a separate internal application.
SEU Profile
Is a SEU Degree Worth It?
Getting into SEU can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. SEU offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at SEU is $82,300 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.93%.
How much does a degree from SEU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Saint Elizabeth University is $52,328. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Saint Elizabeth University is much less than this.
54.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 62.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to SEU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Saint Elizabeth University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SEU as your choice in the form.
How much does a SEU Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $53,038. An average SEU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at SEU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Saint Elizabeth University →
Frequently Asked Questions About SEU Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $53,038 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $52,328 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
54.1% of students at this university receive a Pell Grant — free money that does not need to be repaid. Your chances of need-based aid are strong. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible and list this institution as your choice to be considered for maximum aid.
The acceptance rate of Saint Elizabeth University is 77.2% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.12. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.82, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.82, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.72 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.12, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
