Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New Rochelle, New York
91.1% Acceptance Rate
Iona University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.1%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
1167Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$57,336Annual Cost
$73,595Grad Salary
26.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.1%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
1167
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1055–1265
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
26.2% receive Pell
Iona University (NY) is a private, Catholic institution that focuses on the liberal arts and career preparation. Admissions look for students who demonstrate academic strength and an interest in becoming "engaged leaders." Applicants who highlight their involvement in professional organizations or service learning are well-positioned.
Iona University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Iona University is inclusive by design. 91.1% 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 — 91.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Iona University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 15 for Iona University (Regular — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by April 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 188 days left — Regular
Regular
February 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
December 1
Decision by: January 15
💡 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.
Iona University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Iona University is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.10–3.4 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 3.60–3.80.Iona University 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
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional in the fullest sense - SAT/ACT scores are not considered at all if omitted, with no penalty; Common App opens Aug. 1, regular deadline Feb. 15
- A recommendation letter is required for admission, while a personal essay is recommended but not strictly required
- Early Decision acceptance rate is approximately 99%, versus roughly 86% for regular decision
- Traditional Nursing (BS) is direct-entry with a one-time admission decision (no internal transfer path); the Accelerated BS in Nursing (16 months) is a separate program requiring a prior bachelor's degree, prerequisites completed within 5 years, in-person science labs, and no concurrent employment recommended
- 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 Iona University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Iona University'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.
Iona University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Iona University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Iona University Without SAT or ACT?
Iona University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Iona University Average SAT Score: 1167
Admitted students at Iona University average a 1167 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1167 — Less Competitive
A 1167 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1265 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Iona University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1055? A retake is worth it at Iona University. 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 | 575 | 530 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 525 | 645 |
| SAT Composite | 1167 | 1055 | 1265 |
A score under 1055 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1265+ 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 Iona University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Iona University'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.
Iona University ACT Requirements
Iona University'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 | 27 | 23 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Iona University with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of Iona University'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, Iona University 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 Iona University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Iona University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Apply Early Decision if Iona is a genuine top choice
Iona's Early Decision acceptance rate runs around 99%, compared to roughly 86% for regular decision - one of the largest ED-vs-RD admit-rate gaps among test-optional schools of this profile. If Iona is truly your first choice, ED is a uniquely low-risk way to convert a strong-but-not-flawless application into a near-certain admit, and it signals genuine interest to a school that reviews holistically.
If you want the traditional BS in Nursing, apply directly into it as a freshman - there's no internal transfer path later
Iona's nursing program is "direct-entry," meaning the admissions decision to enter nursing is made once, at the point of your initial application. Students who enroll at Iona in a different major generally cannot switch into the competitive Nursing (BS) track afterward, which makes your Common App major selection the actual gatekeeping decision - not something to leave as "undecided" and sort out after arriving on campus.
Speak specifically to the NewYork-Presbyterian partnership in any nursing-track essay or interview
Iona's nursing school is formally co-branded - the "NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences" name reflects a $20 million gift and a real clinical-access relationship, not a loose affiliation. Admissions staff in this specific program are listening for applicants who understand what that partnership actually provides (named hospital placements, NYP adjunct faculty, direct pipeline to NYP employment) rather than generic "I want to help people" essay language that could apply to any nursing program in the country.
If pursuing the 16-month Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN), build your prerequisite timeline around real, hard constraints
Prerequisites must be completed within 5 years of application, all science labs must be taken in person (no online labs accepted), and the program itself is a full-time, Monday?Friday cohort model where working concurrently is explicitly discouraged. Plan your finances and course-completion schedule as if this is a full academic commitment on its own timeline, not something to squeeze in while employed full-time.
Expert Insight:
The most damaging misconception is assuming you can enroll at Iona in an undecided or unrelated major and pivot into the competitive Nursing (BS) program once you're an established student. Because the traditional track is direct-entry with a one-time admission decision, that internal-transfer route largely doesn't exist here the way it does at many other universities - students who discover this after enrolling are left choosing between a different health-sciences major or reapplying to nursing from outside.
Iona University Profile
Full Name
Iona University
City
New Rochelle
State
New York
ZIP Code
10801-1890
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Iona University Degree Worth It?
Whether Iona 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $78,800, and graduates see a 3.33% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Iona University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $57,336/year at Iona University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Iona University, 26.2% receive a Pell Grant and 42.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Iona University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Iona University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Iona University graduates report a median income of $73,595, about 81% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Iona 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 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Iona 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 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | 1157 | 24 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
| Quincy University | Quincy, IL | 1157 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Iona University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| 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 Iona University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Iona University Admissions
Iona University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $73,595/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Iona University runs high, at roughly $57,336+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
26.2% of Iona University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Iona University's acceptance rate is 91.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Iona University students is 3.4, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.1 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Iona University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3 or below makes admission tougher at Iona University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Iona University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1167, and within the 1055–1265 range, keeps you competitive.
Iona University's deadline is February 15 (Regular), with decisions out by April 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Iona 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.
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