Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Rochester, New York
79.5% Acceptance Rate
Nazareth University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.5%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1256Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$56,140Annual Cost
$56,458Grad Salary
25.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.5%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1256
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1170–1330
ACT Middle 50%
25–30
Need-Based Aid
25.9% receive Pell
Nazareth University is a private, comprehensive institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and professional preparation. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate 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.
Nazareth University Acceptance Rate
Nazareth University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 79.5% 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 — 79.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Nazareth University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Nazareth University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 92 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Action
December 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 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.
Nazareth University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Nazareth University is 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.80–4.00.Nazareth University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Nazareth requires an essay/personal statement and at least one letter of recommendation for all freshman applicants; it pioneered test-optional admissions, but Nursing is a specific exception requiring test scores.
- A Direct Admit B.S./M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology lets qualified high schoolers enter a combined 5-year pathway directly rather than reapplying to the graduate program later.
- Art, dance, music, and theatre applicants must complete a separate audition or portfolio review tracked independently on the admissions dashboard.
- Early Decision deadline is November 15 (notification begins early December), and Regular Decision is February 1 (notification begins early January), both with no application fee.
- 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 Nazareth University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Nazareth University's verified institutional data
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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.
Nazareth University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Nazareth University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Nazareth University Without SAT or ACT?
Nazareth University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Nazareth University Average SAT Score: 1256
The average SAT score of admitted students at Nazareth University is 1256 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1256 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Nazareth 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 1170, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Nazareth 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 | 605 | 560 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 610 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1256 | 1170 | 1330 |
Below 1170, you're behind most admitted students; at 1330 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 1250
Can I get into Nazareth University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Nazareth 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.
Nazareth University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Nazareth University is 28.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 24 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 30 |
Can I get into Nazareth University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Nazareth University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Nazareth University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Nazareth University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Nazareth University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
If speech-language pathology is your goal, apply directly to the 5-year Direct-Admit B.S./M.S. as a high schooler
Nazareth offers a Direct Admit B.S./M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology that lets qualified high school applicants secure both degrees in a combined 5-year pathway from the start, rather than reapplying separately to Nazareth's graduate SLP program later. If SLP is a confirmed interest, indicate this track explicitly on your freshman application rather than applying as an undecided or general Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences major and hoping to transition in later.
Know that Nursing is the one major carved out of Nazareth's test-optional policy
Nazareth was an early adopter of test-optional admissions and doesn't require SAT/ACT scores for the vast majority of majors - but Nursing is a specific, named exception where test scores remain required. If you're applying for a health-related major, confirm whether your specific program is Nursing (test required) or another health science track (test-optional) before deciding whether to submit scores.
Submit your art, dance, music, or theatre audition/portfolio through the dedicated portal, not the general application
These four majors require a separate audition or portfolio review tracked through its own status on your admissions dashboard, distinct from your general application completeness. Check that this specific component shows as complete - a fully submitted general application with an incomplete audition/portfolio can leave your file technically incomplete for program-specific review even though the main application shows as done.
If pursuing the hybrid Physician Assistant M.S., plan around required in-person weeks, not just online coursework
Nazareth's PA program is structured as a hybrid model - primarily online, synchronous coursework for the first year, but with required in-person sessions one week per semester plus a mandatory on-campus orientation before instruction begins. If you're choosing this program specifically for geographic flexibility, build these fixed on-campus weeks into your life and work planning now rather than assuming the "hybrid" label means fully remote.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume Nazareth's broadly test-optional reputation applies universally across majors - but Nursing applicants who skip submitting test scores because "Nazareth is test-optional" can find themselves at a disadvantage or ineligible for full consideration, since Nursing is specifically excluded from the policy. Confirm your program's specific test policy rather than relying on the university-wide reputation.
Nazareth University Profile
Full Name
Nazareth University
City
Rochester
State
New York
ZIP Code
14618-3790
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Nazareth University Degree Worth It?
Whether Nazareth 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 $64,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.45%.
How much does a degree from Nazareth University Cost?
The sticker price is $56,140/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
25.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 74.1% take federal loans at Nazareth University — file your FAFSA early and list Nazareth University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Nazareth University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,458 — about 39% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Nazareth 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 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Nazareth 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 Nazareth 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 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Nazareth University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Nazareth University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Nazareth University run about $56,458 a year.
At about $56,140 a year, Nazareth University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 25.9% receive a Pell Grant at Nazareth University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 79.5%, Nazareth University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Nazareth University average a 3.6 GPA.
Nazareth University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.2, Nazareth 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 Nazareth University — aim above 1256, ideally within the 1170–1330 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Nazareth University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 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.
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