Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Newburgh, New York
82.5% Acceptance Rate
Mount Saint Mary College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
82.5%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
1160Avg SAT
$51,810Annual Cost
$67,705Grad Salary
29.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
82.5%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
1160
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1255
Need-Based Aid
29.7% receive Pell
Mount Saint Mary College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, service, and professional preparation. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the college fosters a supportive campus community that encourages critical inquiry and personal growth. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership.
Mount Saint Mary College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Mount Saint Mary College is inclusive by design: 82.5% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 82.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mount Saint Mary College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mount Saint Mary College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of August 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 2 days left — Regular
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Mount Saint Mary College 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.
Regular
August 1
Priority
December 1
💡 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.
Mount Saint Mary College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Mount Saint Mary College is 3.3. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.00–3.3 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 3.50–3.70.Mount Saint Mary College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — 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
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Nursing transfer requires a 2.75+ GPA and "C" or better in Anatomy & Physiology I/II, Chemistry I/II, General Psychology, and Introduction to Sociology - distinct from the general 2.5 transfer minimum.
- Rolling admission has a practical six-week-prior application guideline for the intended start semester.
- Average first-year admitted profile: 85 GPA (~3.0) and 1080 SAT (not including writing), roughly equivalent to a 21 ACT composite.
- Mount Saint Mary College (Newburgh, NY) is a distinct institution from the similarly named Mount St. Mary's University (MD) and Mount Saint Mary's University (Los Angeles).
- 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 Mount Saint Mary College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Mount Saint Mary 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.
Mount Saint Mary College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Mount Saint Mary College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Mount Saint Mary College Without SAT or ACT?
Mount Saint Mary College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Mount Saint Mary College Average SAT Score: 1160
Admitted students at Mount Saint Mary College average a 1160 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1160 — Less Competitive
A 1160 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1255 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Mount Saint Mary College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1090? A retake is worth it at Mount Saint Mary College — 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 | 573 | 530 | 615 |
| SAT Reading | 600 | 560 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1160 | 1090 | 1255 |
A score under 1090 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1255+ 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 Mount Saint Mary College with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Mount Saint Mary College'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mount Saint Mary College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Mount Saint Mary College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Transfer nursing applicants: hit the 2.75 GPA and specific prerequisite grades, not just the general transfer minimum
While Mount Saint Mary College's general transfer minimum GPA is 2.5, Nursing transfer specifically requires a 2.75+ GPA along with a "C" or better in Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Chemistry I and II, General Psychology, and Introduction to Sociology. A transfer applicant who only checks the general 2.5 threshold and assumes it applies to nursing will find their file doesn't meet the program-specific bar.
Apply six weeks before your target semester - rolling admission has a real practical deadline
Although the Mount uses rolling admissions, the college specifically advises applying no later than six weeks prior to your intended start semester to ensure timely processing. Treat "rolling" as having an effective soft deadline rather than assuming you can apply at any point right up to the semester start.
Know the college's average first-year academic profile to gauge your competitiveness
The average first-year GPA is an 85 (approximately a 3.0), and the average SAT score (not including writing) is 1080, equivalent to roughly a 21 composite ACT. Use these specific benchmarks - rather than generic "good grades" assumptions - to calibrate whether your current academic profile is at, above, or below the typical admitted range, especially if you're deciding whether to submit test scores under the test-optional policy.
Nursing program applicants should weigh recent student feedback on program rigor and organization
Student reviews of the Mount's nursing program are mixed - while clinical experience and simulation labs are praised, some students specifically note concerns about program rigor and organizational consistency. If nursing is your target, ask current students or the department directly about recent changes to program structure and support resources, rather than relying solely on the school's own promotional materials.
Expert Insight:
Because there are several similarly named institutions - Mount Saint Mary College (Newburgh, NY), Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, MD), and Mount Saint Mary's University (Los Angeles, a women's university) - applicants researching online should confirm they're looking at content specifically from msmc.edu, since program details, deadlines, and admissions requirements differ substantially between these separate schools despite the nearly identical names.
Mount Saint Mary College Profile
Full Name
Mount Saint Mary College
City
Newburgh
State
New York
ZIP Code
12550
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Mount Saint Mary College Degree Worth It?
At $51,810/year against a $67,705 median graduate salary, Mount Saint Mary College 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 $74,900, and graduates see a 3.42% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Mount Saint Mary College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $51,810/year at Mount Saint Mary College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Mount Saint Mary College, 29.7% receive a Pell Grant and 64.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Mount Saint Mary College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Mount Saint Mary College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Mount Saint Mary College graduates report a median income of $67,705, about 67% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Saint Mary College. 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 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 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 Mount Saint Mary College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Saint Mary College. 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 Mount Saint Mary College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Saint Mary College Admissions
Mount Saint Mary College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $67,705/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Mount Saint Mary College runs high — roughly $51,810+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
29.7% of Mount Saint Mary College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Mount Saint Mary College's acceptance rate is 82.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Mount Saint Mary College students is 3.3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Mount Saint Mary College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.9 or below makes admission tougher at Mount Saint Mary College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Mount Saint Mary College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1160, and within the 1090–1255 range, keeps you competitive.
Mount Saint Mary College's deadline is August 1 (Regular). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Mount Saint Mary 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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