For-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New York, New York
98.8% Acceptance Rate
LIM College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.8%Acceptance Rate
2.9Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$50,471Annual Cost
$58,956Grad Salary
35.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.8%
Avg GPA
2.9
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
990–1200
ACT Middle 50%
15–25
Need-Based Aid
35.7% receive Pell
LIM College is a specialized, private institution in New York that focuses on the business of fashion, marketing, and management. Admissions prioritize professional readiness, creative potential, and a clear drive for the industry. The college seeks individuals who are passionate about the business side of fashion and are ready to engage in a highly professionalized, fast-paced, and industry-linked curriculum.
Successful applicants should showcase their interest in the fashion industry, creative projects, or relevant extracurricular experiences. Because the college emphasizes "learning by doing" and industry networking, highlighting how a student has applied their interest outside the classroom through internships, retail work, or personal projects is a significant advantage. The admissions team looks for innovative, self-directed, and ambitious individuals who are ready to commit to a rigorous curriculum and leverage the college's unique NYC-based networking opportunities.
LIM College Acceptance Rate
Admission at LIM College is inclusive by design. 98.8% 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 — 98.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.90 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.70 – 2.89
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.45
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
LIM College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
LIM College 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
LIM 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.
LIM GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at LIM is 2.9. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.10–3.30.LIM GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
2.90 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.70 – 2.89
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.50 – 2.69
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.49
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate reported between roughly 84%-96% depending on source/year; LIM is test-optional but requires an interview for all applicants, including international students via video call.
- Undergraduates complete a required sequence of Experiential Career Education courses culminating in a full-semester Senior Co-Op; LIM is phasing in a policy requiring all internships/co-ops to be paid at minimum wage, fully effective by 2026-27.
- LIM College was acquired by Japan Educational Foundation (JEF), completed December 1, 2025; campus, name, faculty, and degree programs are unchanged, with new formal ties to ESMOD Paris and Japanese fashion-education institutions.
- Starting Fall 2025, all international applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships up to $14,000/year (bachelor's) or $10,000/year (master's), on top of standard aid.
- 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 LIM
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from LIM College'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.
LIM College (LIM) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at LIM. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into LIM Without SAT or ACT?
LIM considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
LIM College Average SAT Score: 1090
Admitted students at LIM College average a 1090 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
A 1090 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1200 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? LIM College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 990? A retake is worth it at LIM. 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 | 530 | 470 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 520 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 990 | 1200 |
A score under 990 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1200+ 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 1100
Can I get into LIM College (LIM) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in LIM'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.
LIM College (LIM) ACT Requirements
LIM's admitted students average an ACT of 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
An average of 20 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 15 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 15 | 25 |
Can I get into LIM College with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of LIM'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, LIM 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 LIM
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into LIM is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Write the essay as an industry pitch, not a personal essay
LIM's required essay is only 300-500 words and asks you to describe career aspirations and commitment to fashion/lifestyle - treat it like a mini business plan, not a diary entry. Name specific roles (visual merchandiser, fashion buyer, PR coordinator), specific companies you'd want to intern with, and specific LIM resources (the required internship sequence, Handshake platform, Pitch Night) that connect your goal to their curriculum. Admissions readers at a career-focused school are scanning for evidence you understand the industry's actual job titles, not just that you 'love fashion.'
Apply Early Action for the guaranteed seat and decision speed
LIM's Early Action option is non-binding but gives you a locked decision between late November and early December regardless of when you apply within that window, plus first crack at the limited class size before rolling admission fills up. Because LIM is genuinely rolling with no hard deadline, the real risk isn't rejection - it's applying late enough that your preferred semester start, housing at FOUND Study, or scholarship dollars are already spoken for.
Use the JEF acquisition as a talking point, not a red flag
LIM was acquired by Japan Educational Foundation (JEF) in a deal that closed December 1, 2025 - the college keeps its name, campus, faculty, and programs, but now sits inside a global network that includes ESMOD (Paris fashion school) and Japan's Professional Institute of International Fashion. If you have any interest in global fashion markets or study abroad, mention this directly in your essay or interview; it signals you've researched the school beyond its Niche page.
Treat the Activity Sheet as equal in weight to your essay
LIM explicitly invites an Activity Sheet in place of (or alongside) a traditional resume, and because the school runs holistic, low-bar-numeric admission, this document does real work distinguishing candidates for merit consideration. List retail or customer-facing jobs, sewing/styling side projects, Depop or Etsy shops, fashion club leadership - anything showing commercial instinct - since LIM's model (three required internships plus a paid Senior Co-Op) rewards students who already show initiative.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume the high acceptance rate means the interview is a formality - it's mandatory for every applicant (in person, phone, or video for international students), and it's where LIM screens for the professionalism and industry seriousness the low bar on GPA/test scores doesn't capture; students who show up vague about their intended concentration are the ones who get waitlisted rather than admitted outright.
LIM Profile
Full Name
LIM College (LIM)
City
New York
State
New York
ZIP Code
10017-0000
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a LIM Degree Worth It?
Whether LIM 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 $78,400, and graduates see a 3.35% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from LIM Cost?
Listed tuition runs $50,471/year at LIM. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At LIM, 35.7% receive a Pell Grant and 62.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming LIM on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a LIM Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, LIM graduates report a median income of $58,956, about 45% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than LIM College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as LIM College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than LIM College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, 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 |
Degree Programs at LIM
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About LIM Admissions
LIM College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,956/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at LIM College runs high, at roughly $50,471+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
35.7% of LIM College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
LIM College's acceptance rate is 98.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted LIM College students is 2.9, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.6 puts you in the standard applicant pool at LIM College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.5 or below makes admission tougher at LIM College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
LIM College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1090, and within the 990–1200 range, keeps you competitive.
LIM College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2027/02/01. That's LIM College'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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