Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Galloway, New Jersey
88.2% Acceptance Rate
Stockton University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.2%Acceptance Rate
3.54Avg GPA
1171Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$32,159Annual Cost
$57,602Grad Salary
41.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.2%
Avg GPA
3.54
Avg SAT
1171
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1260
ACT Middle 50%
20–27
Avg Net Price
$19,634
Need-Based Aid
41.5% receive Pell
Stockton University is a public, coastal liberal arts and professional studies institution in New Jersey. Admissions are selective and look for evidence of intellectual curiosity and potential for community contribution. The university values applicants who have taken rigorous high school courses, such as AP or honors-level work, and who demonstrate an ability to balance academic responsibilities with extracurricular engagement or service.
A compelling application to Stockton highlights the student's ability to think critically and their interest in the university's interdisciplinary approach. Because Stockton emphasizes experiential learning and community service, highlighting these values in an application is highly beneficial. Applicants should explicitly state why they are a good match for the university's specific environment, showing they have researched the campus culture and are prepared to participate in research or community outreach projects.
Stockton University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Stockton University is inclusive by design. 88.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 88.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.54 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.09
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Stockton University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Stockton University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey 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.
Early Action
December 1
Rolling
March 1
💡 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.
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is 3.54. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.24 and 3.54? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.74–3.94.The Richard Stockton 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
3.54 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.34 – 3.53
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.14 – 3.33
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.13
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Public university in Galloway, NJ (near Pomona/Atlantic City); $50 application fee; SAT code 2889, ACT code 2589 for direct score submission.
- Nursing students must pass a criminal background check (CBC) and a 10-panel urine drug screen UPON PROGRAM ENTRY and then ANNUALLY thereafter until graduation - not a one-time clearance, an ongoing yearly requirement throughout the program.
- A CBC result is valid for one year unless a clinical facility requires more frequent screening; a nursing student who leaves the program for more than two semesters must complete an entirely NEW CBC and drug screen before returning.
- Only the university-approved CBC vendor's results are accepted - results from any other background-check provider will not be honored, regardless of recency or content.
- 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 The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Stockton University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Stockton University (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at The Richard Stockton 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 The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Without SAT or ACT?
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Stockton University Average SAT Score: 1171
Admitted students at Stockton University average a 1171 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1171 — Less Competitive
A 1171 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1260 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Stockton University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1080? A retake is worth it at The Richard Stockton 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 | 580 | 540 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1171 | 1080 | 1260 |
A score under 1080 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1260+ 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 1150
Can I get into Stockton University (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in The Richard Stockton 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.
Stockton University (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) ACT Requirements
The Richard Stockton 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 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT English | 22 | 17 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 27 |
Can I get into Stockton University with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of The Richard Stockton 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, and 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, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
The Richard Stockton 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.
Calculate exact eligibility against the 4-year prelicensure BSN's published numeric floor - SAT 1190 combined with a 570 Math subscore specifically, or ACT Math 24, plus a 3.5 GPA
Stockton's 4-year prelicensure BSN publishes unusually specific minimum benchmarks: a combined SAT of 1190 WITH a Math subscore of at least 570 specifically (not just the combined total), OR an ACT Math subscore of 24, alongside an overall high school GPA of 3.5+. A student with a strong combined SAT but a weak Math subscore specifically falls short even if their total clears 1190 - calculate the Math subscore requirement as its own independent gate, not just an input to the combined score.
Submit the nursing application by the firm May 15 postmark deadline - and treat it as separate in timing from the standard freshman applicant pool
Four-year nursing applicants do NOT need a separate supplemental application from Stockton's general application, but Admissions explicitly states nursing applications must be POSTMARKED by May 15, 2026 specifically - a distinct internal deadline from Stockton's general Sept. 1 freshman application deadline. Critically, Stockton's own page warns the nursing program "may become full PRIOR TO the deadline," meaning even hitting May 15 doesn't guarantee a spot is still open; a family targeting nursing should apply as early in the cycle as possible, not simply by May 15.
Use the BS/DO (Rowan University) and BS/PharmD (Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy) dual-degree partnerships as concrete, named accelerated-pathway options requiring their own supplemental applications and single-test-date rules
Stockton runs an accelerated 7-year BS/DO medical dual-degree program with Rowan University and a BS/PharmD partnership with Rutgers' Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy - both requiring a SEPARATE supplemental application beyond the standard freshman application, with their own specific deadlines. Notably, the BS/DO program requires ALL submitted test scores to come from a SINGLE test date (no mixing best-section scores across different sittings) - a stricter standard than Stockton's general test-optional policy allows. A student targeting either accelerated program should identify and prepare for ONE strong, complete test sitting rather than planning to mix-and-match scores across multiple attempts.
Confirm whether your intended major falls under Stockton's test-optional EXCEPTIONS list before assuming testing is unnecessary
Stockton is broadly SAT/ACT optional, but explicitly carves out exceptions for Nursing (BSN), the Accelerated 7-Year BS/DO Medical program, and the BS/PharmD partnership with Rutgers - these three specifically REQUIRE test scores regardless of Stockton's general test-optional stance. A family targeting any health-professional accelerated pathway should not assume Stockton's "test optional" branding applies to their specific program of interest; confirm against this named exceptions list directly.
Expert Insight:
Stockton's nursing admissions criteria explicitly states that meeting the published minimum conditions (SAT/ACT thresholds, 3.5 GPA, specific coursework) does NOT guarantee acceptance - admission to the 4-year prelicensure program is described as "highly competitive," and even CURRENT Stockton students applying internally are held to the same 3.5+ cumulative GPA standard as incoming freshmen. A family should treat the published numbers as a floor for consideration, not a target that guarantees a seat, and should build the strongest possible file beyond the minimums (honors/AP coursework, strong letters of recommendation) rather than stopping at the threshold.
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Profile
Full Name
Stockton University (The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey)
City
Galloway
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
08205-9441
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Degree Worth It?
Whether The Richard Stockton 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 $73,200, and graduates see a 3.61% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Cost?
Listed tuition runs $32,159/year at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $19,634.
At The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, 41.5% receive a Pell Grant and 51.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey graduates report a median income of $57,602, 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 Stockton University. 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 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Stockton University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Stockton 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 Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Admissions
Stockton University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $57,602/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Stockton University is moderate, around $32,159/year; many students supplement with aid.
41.5% of Stockton University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Stockton University's acceptance rate is 88.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Stockton University students is 3.54, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.24 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Stockton University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.14 or below makes admission tougher at Stockton University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Stockton University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1171, and within the 1080–1260 range, keeps you competitive.
Stockton University's deadline is December 1 (Early Action). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Stockton University charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit scholarship priority: 2025/12/01. That's Stockton University'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
Acceptance Rate of all New Jersey Colleges
Average SAT Score of New Jersey Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in New Jersey
Bachelor Programs in New Jersey
Test Optional Colleges in New Jersey
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in New Jersey