Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Albany, New York
60.9% Acceptance Rate
Maria College of Albany — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60.9%Acceptance Rate
2.5Avg GPA
1040Avg SAT
$23,518Annual Cost
$55,458Grad Salary
40.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60.9%
Avg GPA
2.5
Avg SAT
1040
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
965–1095
Need-Based Aid
40.7% receive Pell
Maria College of Albany is a private, career-focused institution that specializes in healthcare and nursing programs. Known for its commitment to clinical excellence, hands-on training, and student success, the college provides an intensive and practical educational experience. Its streamlined academic model and dedicated career support make it a highly effective and pragmatic choice for individuals who need to acquire professional expertise quickly and transition into stable, healthcare-focused careers.
Maria College of Albany Acceptance Rate
Maria College of Albany is moderately selective. 60.9% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Maria College of Albany Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 60.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.30 – 2.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Maria College of Albany Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Maria College of Albany 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
Maria College of Albany 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 (Merit scholarships automatically considered; no universal deadline published) 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.
Maria College of Albany GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Maria College of Albany is 2.5. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
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 2.70–2.90.Check Your Admission Chances at Maria College of Albany
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Maria College of Albany'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.
Maria College of Albany Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Maria College of Albany is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Maria College of Albany Without SAT or ACT?
Maria College of Albany considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Maria College of Albany Average SAT Score: 1040
The average SAT score of admitted students at Maria College of Albany is 1040 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1040 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1095 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Maria College of Albany allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 965, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Maria College of Albany. 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 | 523 | 485 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 508 | 480 | 535 |
| SAT Composite | 1040 | 965 | 1095 |
Below 965, you're behind most admitted students; at 1095 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 1050
Can I get into Maria College of Albany with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Maria College of Albany'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 Maria College of Albany
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Maria College of Albany takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the General Studies with Intent for Nursing (GSN) track if not yet qualified for direct nursing admission
If prerequisite courses, GPA, or TEAS scores fall short, Maria offers a formal GSN pathway - not a rejection, but a dedicated 2.5-3 year track with its own advisor, TEAS study support, and a "Change of Status" form for re-entry into nursing rather than a full new application. Ask about GSN specifically rather than assuming a straightforward rejection is the only outcome.
Know the TEAS bar is comparatively low, and check for the CNA-to-LPN exemption
Maria's TEAS VI passing standard for nursing is only 50% of the national average, and SAT or ACT scores can substitute for TEAS entirely; scores remain valid for two years. Graduates of Schenectady County Community College's HPOG Nurse Aide or Home Health Aide program have the TEAS requirement waived entirely for the LPN program - ask about this narrow pathway directly if it applies.
Target the November 15 priority deadline specifically, not just "apply early"
Maria uses a two-tier system: November 15 (priority 1, deposit due December 15) and December 15 (priority 2, deposit due January 5), with space-available review afterward. Treat November 15 as the real target, since space-available review after mid-December is a materially weaker position.
Reference the Sisters of Mercy heritage and its practical traditions directly
Maria is one of 17 American colleges sponsored by the Conference for Mercy Higher Education and founded by the Sisters of Mercy, marking heritage events like Mercy Week and the Catherine McAuley Celebration of Life annually. Name these specific events and heritage rather than describing the school generically as "Catholic."
Expert Insight:
Sources conflict on the minimum GPA for nursing applicants (2.0 general admission minimum versus a separately cited 2.30 for nursing specifically) - confirm the current, exact minimum directly with Maria's nursing admissions office rather than relying on either figure alone.
Maria College of Albany Profile
Full Name
Maria College of Albany
City
Albany
State
New York
ZIP Code
12208
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Maria College of Albany Degree Worth It?
At $23,518/year against a $55,458 median graduate salary, Maria College of Albany is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $57,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.93%.
How much does a degree from Maria College of Albany Cost?
The sticker price is $23,518/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
40.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 75% take federal loans at Maria College of Albany. File your FAFSA early and list Maria College of Albany as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Maria College of Albany Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,458. That's about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Maria College of Albany. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Maria College of Albany. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Maria College of Albany. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Maria College of Albany
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Maria College of Albany Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Maria College of Albany run about $55,458 a year.
At about $23,518 a year, Maria College of Albany is on the more affordable end.
About 40.7% receive a Pell Grant at Maria College of Albany. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 60.9%, Maria College of Albany's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Maria College of Albany average a 2.5 GPA.
Maria College of Albany doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.1, Maria College of Albany 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 Maria College of Albany — aim above 1040, ideally within the 965–1095 range admitted students typically fall in.
Maria College of Albany follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarships automatically considered; no universal deadline published. 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