Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Riverdale, New York
78.5% Acceptance Rate
Manhattan University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.5%Acceptance Rate
3.63Avg GPA
1254Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$62,537Annual Cost
$86,316Grad Salary
31.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.5%
Avg GPA
3.63
Avg SAT
1254
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1340
ACT Middle 50%
22–31
Need-Based Aid
31.2% receive Pell
Manhattan University is a private, Catholic, Lasallian institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, service, and professional preparation. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a supportive and engaged campus community that encourages critical inquiry and personal growth. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful and reliable choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership in a variety of professional fields.
Manhattan University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Manhattan University is inclusive by design. 78.5% 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 — 78.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.63 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.43 – 3.62
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.18
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Manhattan University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Manhattan University (Early Action — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 110 days left — Early Action
Early Action
December 1
Regular Decision
February 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2027) 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.
Manhattan University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Manhattan University is 3.63. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.33 and 3.63? 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 3.83–4.03.Manhattan 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
3.63 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.43 – 3.62
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.23 – 3.42
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.22
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Manhattan University requires both a personal essay (roughly 500 words per the admissions page, capped at 650 per the catalog) and a letter of recommendation for first-year admission.
- Several merit scholarships are tied to a specific school and are not renewed if the student switches to a major outside that school after initial acceptance.
- The Trustee Scholarship (top 5% of applicants) and Presidential Scholarship (top 15%) are awarded automatically through the standard admission review - no separate application required.
- Early Decision is due November 15 (binding); otherwise rolling admission with a preferred deadline of April 1, and test scores are optional.
- 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 Manhattan University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Manhattan 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.
Manhattan University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Manhattan 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 Manhattan University Without SAT or ACT?
Manhattan University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Manhattan University Average SAT Score: 1254
Admitted students at Manhattan University average a 1254 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1254 — Slightly Competitive
A 1254 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Manhattan University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1150? A retake is worth it at Manhattan 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 | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1254 | 1150 | 1340 |
A score under 1150 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1340+ 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 1250
Can I get into Manhattan University with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Manhattan 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.
Manhattan University ACT Requirements
Manhattan University's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 29 |
| ACT English | 25 | 20 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 22 | 31 |
Can I get into Manhattan University with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Manhattan 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, Manhattan 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 Manhattan University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Manhattan University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Understand school-locked scholarships vanish on a major switch
Several merit scholarships - for the School of Engineering, or School of Education and Health, for example - are awarded specifically for that school and are explicitly not renewed if a student switches to a major outside that school after initial acceptance. If you're genuinely torn between two potential majors, know that declaring the scholarship-linked school at admission and then switching later can mean forfeiting that specific award entirely, not just adjusting it.
Let your standard application do the work for top-tier scholarships
The Trustee Scholarship (top 5% of the applicant pool) and Presidential Scholarship (top 15%) are both awarded automatically through the standard admission review, with no separate application required. Make sure your essay, transcript, and recommendation are as strong as possible, since that same file determines both your admission and this automatic scholarship tier.
Target 500 words for the essay, not the Common App's 250-word floor
Manhattan's own admissions page asks for an essay of roughly 500 words, while the official catalog cites a 650-word cap. Treat 500 words as the practical target length for your Manhattan-specific essay rather than defaulting to whatever shorter length you may have used for other schools.
Talk to financial aid before moving off campus to "save money"
If you change your residency status from resident to commuter after admission, your financial aid budget is recalculated and need-based aid is typically reduced or lost - though your merit scholarship itself is unaffected by this specific change. Talk to a financial aid counselor before moving off campus, since the anticipated housing savings can be partly or fully offset by a corresponding loss of need-based aid.
Expert Insight:
Manhattan requires both an essay and a letter of recommendation for admission - requirements several peer institutions have recently dropped. An applicant who assumes essay-optional or recommendation-optional norms seen elsewhere apply here as well can submit an incomplete application; both pieces are required parts of the file before the Admissions Committee will act on it.
Manhattan University Profile
Full Name
Manhattan University
City
Riverdale
State
New York
ZIP Code
10471-4098
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Manhattan University Degree Worth It?
At $62,537/year against a $86,316 median graduate salary, Manhattan University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $83,100, and graduates see a 3.22% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Manhattan University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $62,537/year at Manhattan University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Manhattan University, 31.2% receive a Pell Grant and 49.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Manhattan University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Manhattan University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Manhattan University graduates report a median income of $86,316, about 113% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Manhattan University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Manhattan University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Manhattan University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Manhattan University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan University Admissions
Graduates of Manhattan University earn a high median salary of $86,316/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Manhattan University runs high, at roughly $62,537+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
31.2% of Manhattan University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Manhattan University's acceptance rate is 78.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Manhattan University students is 3.63, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.33 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Manhattan University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.23 or below makes admission tougher at Manhattan University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Manhattan University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1254, and within the 1150–1340 range, keeps you competitive.
Manhattan University's deadline is December 1 (Early Action).
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2027. That's Manhattan 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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