Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Purchase, New York
84.7% Acceptance Rate
Manhattanville University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.7%Acceptance Rate
3.19Avg GPA
1125Avg SAT
$55,641Annual Cost
$58,832Grad Salary
33.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.7%
Avg GPA
3.19
Avg SAT
1125
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1085–1155
Need-Based Aid
33.5% receive Pell
Manhattanville University is a private, independent liberal arts institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. With a long history of fostering inclusivity and student engagement, the university provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students for leadership in a global society.
Manhattanville University Acceptance Rate
Manhattanville University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 84.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.74
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Manhattanville University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Manhattanville University 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
Manhattanville University 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.
Manhattanville University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Manhattanville University is 3.19. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.89–3.19 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.39–3.59.Manhattanville University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.79 – 2.98
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.78
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Manhattanville is genuinely test-blind - SAT/ACT scores are not considered in admission or scholarship decisions at all.
- The Castle Scholars Honors Program typically requires a 3.9+ high school GPA for incoming first-year admission.
- Dance, theatre, musical theatre, and studio art applicants must complete a separate audition or portfolio process beyond the standard application.
- Priority consideration for admission and scholarships is given to applicants who apply by March 1, despite the overall rolling admission timeline.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Manhattanville University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Manhattanville University's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Manhattanville University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Manhattanville University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Manhattanville University Without SAT or ACT?
Manhattanville University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Manhattanville University Average SAT Score: 1125
The average SAT score of admitted students at Manhattanville University is 1125 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1125 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1155 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Manhattanville University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1085, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Manhattanville University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1125 | 1085 | 1155 |
Below 1085, you're behind most admitted students; at 1155 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Manhattanville University with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Manhattanville University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Manhattanville University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Manhattanville University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Know Manhattanville is genuinely test-blind, not just test-optional
Manhattanville does not consider SAT/ACT scores at all in admission or scholarship decisions - a stricter policy than typical test-optional schools where strong scores can still help. Redirect any energy considering whether to submit scores toward your essay, recommendations, and activities instead, since scores simply won't be reviewed regardless of what you submit.
If aiming for the Castle Scholars Honors Program, know the GPA bar is unusually high
Admission to Manhattanville's Castle Scholars Honors Program is typically limited to incoming first-year students with a high school GPA of 3.9 or better - a notably steep threshold compared to general admission at a school with an 87% overall acceptance rate. If Honors is your goal, treat this 3.9 figure as a hard target throughout high school rather than assuming strong grades alone will qualify you.
Art, music, dance, and theatre applicants: your audition or portfolio runs on its own track
Beyond the standard application, dance, theatre, musical theatre, and studio art applicants must complete a separate audition or portfolio submission process. Start preparing your audition material or portfolio well before your general application deadline, since this component isn't reviewed alongside your general file - it's a distinct requirement with its own preparation timeline.
Apply by March 1 for priority consideration on both admission and scholarships
Manhattanville's rolling admission continues through the summer, but applying by March 1 specifically gets you priority consideration for both admission and scholarship funding. Don't let the flexible, rolling deadline lull you into applying later in the cycle if maximizing scholarship consideration matters to your decision.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat Manhattanville's overall high acceptance rate (around 87%) as evidence that every program is equally accessible - but Education and Business programs are noted to fill quickly despite the school's overall accessibility, and Nursing carries additional prerequisites and clinical placement requirements that make it more competitive than a typical major. Applying early to these specific high-demand programs, rather than relying on the general rolling timeline, is a real, practical advantage.
Manhattanville University Profile
Full Name
Manhattanville University
City
Purchase
State
New York
ZIP Code
10577
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Manhattanville University Degree Worth It?
Whether Manhattanville 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $80,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.23%.
How much does a degree from Manhattanville University Cost?
The sticker price is $55,641/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
33.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 59.3% take federal loans at Manhattanville University — file your FAFSA early and list Manhattanville University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Manhattanville University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,832 — 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 Manhattanville University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Manhattanville University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Manhattanville 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 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Manhattanville University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattanville University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Manhattanville University run about $58,832 a year.
At about $55,641 a year, Manhattanville University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 33.5% receive a Pell Grant at Manhattanville University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 84.7%, Manhattanville University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Manhattanville University average a 3.19 GPA.
Manhattanville University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.89 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.79, Manhattanville University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Manhattanville University — aim above 1125, ideally within the 1085–1155 range admitted students typically fall in.
Manhattanville University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority: 2027/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all New York Colleges
Average SAT Score of New York Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in New York
Bachelor Programs in New York
Test Optional Colleges in New York
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in New York