Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New York, New York
77.1% Acceptance Rate
Pace University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
77.1%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
1232Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$68,092Annual Cost
$70,378Grad Salary
27.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
77.1%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
1232
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1328
ACT Middle 50%
24–29
Need-Based Aid
27.1% receive Pell
Pace University is a private, comprehensive institution in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and career preparation. With a strong focus on professional success and a location in one of the world's leading business hubs, the university fosters an environment that encourages leadership, innovation, and critical inquiry. Its emphasis on practical, high-value education makes it a premier choice for students seeking to achieve their career and academic potential.
Pace University Acceptance Rate
Pace University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 77.1% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 77.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Pace University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Pace 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
⏳ 83 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 1
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 15
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/01) 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.
Pace University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Pace University is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.10–3.4 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 3.60–3.80.Pace 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
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Private university with campuses in New York City and Westchester (Pleasantville), NY; broadly SAT/ACT optional with stated exceptions for select programs including Nursing.
- Essay/personal statement requirement is specific: 250-650 words, on a topic of the student's choice or from a provided list, and must be confirmed as entirely original work.
- Two letters of recommendation are required from a teacher or counselor specifically, not family members or employers, who can speak to academic potential and personal characteristics.
- International transcript evaluation and electronic submission options include Common App, Credentials Solutions, National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance, Parchment Exchange, Scoir, Scribbles (ScribOrder), or slate.org - a notably broad list of accepted electronic delivery networks.
- 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 Pace University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Pace 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.
Pace University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Pace University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Pace University Without SAT or ACT?
Pace University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Pace University Average SAT Score: 1232
The average SAT score of admitted students at Pace University is 1232 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1232 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1328 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Pace 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 1130, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Pace 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 | 550 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 624 | 580 | 668 |
| SAT Composite | 1232 | 1130 | 1328 |
Below 1130, you're behind most admitted students; at 1328 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 Pace University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Pace 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.
Pace University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Pace University is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — 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 | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 24 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 29 |
Can I get into Pace University with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Pace University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that 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, especially Science 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 Pace University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Pace University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Pace University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Confirm which campus your application fee applies to - Pace explicitly waives the $50 fee for Westchester campus applicants specifically, not NYC
Pace's general application fee is $50, but the university explicitly states this fee is WAIVED for students applying to the Westchester (Pleasantville) campus specifically - a campus-specific waiver, not a blanket or need-based one. A family targeting the Westchester campus (notably the only location offering the 4-year BS Nursing program) should confirm this waiver applies automatically or requires a specific application-portal selection, since assuming the standard $50 fee applies everywhere could mean either overpaying or being confused by an unexpected $0 charge.
Apply to the 4-year BS Nursing program by its OWN February 15 deadline - separate from Pace's general Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision calendar
Pace's 4-year prelicensure Nursing program (Lienhard School of Nursing) is explicitly offered ONLY on the Westchester campus, runs as a competitive admission process, and uses a fixed February 15 first-year application deadline - distinct from Pace's standard Early Action/Decision/Regular Decision plans that apply to other majors. Critically, nursing clinical courses begin FALL semester only, meaning a spring-start nursing applicant isn't a viable path at all. A nursing-track family should build their planning calendar around February 15 specifically, not Pace's general admission deadlines.
Calculate Pforzheimer Honors College eligibility against its specific 90 (numeric, not GPA-scale) threshold - and know test-optional applicants remain eligible
Pace's Honors College uses a minimum 90 numeric GPA (on what reads as a 100-point scale, not the standard 4.0) for consideration, and explicitly allows students to apply test-optional and still be considered for Honors admission - testing is not a prerequisite for Honors eligibility despite being a factor when submitted. A student should convert their school's grading scale to this 90-point benchmark specifically (a task that may require explicit conversion guidance from a counselor, since many U.S. high schools don't natively report on a 100-point scale) rather than assuming their 4.0-scale GPA translates directly.
Use the December 15 campus-visit grant as a real, dated financial incentive - $2,000, renewable, tied to a specific calendar action
Pace offers a renewable $2,000 grant to students who VISIT either the NYC or Westchester campus by December 15, 2026, and subsequently enroll full-time for the following fall - a concrete, action-based financial incentive separate from merit scholarships or need-based aid. A family planning campus visits should treat this December 15 date as a real deadline with financial consequences, not just a recommended "visit if you can" suggestion.
Expert Insight:
Pace's College of Health Professions runs MULTIPLE distinct programs (Health Science BS, Accelerated BS Nursing, BS Nursing RN4, and several combined BS/MS dual-degree tracks with Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Public Health) each with its OWN separate admission criteria and application process, entirely independent from Pace's general undergraduate admission. A family interested in ANY health professions program at Pace should not assume general admission information applies; each specific program path needs direct confirmation from its own program website, since "admitted to Pace" and "admitted to a specific Health Professions track" are explicitly two different determinations.
Pace University Profile
Full Name
Pace University
City
New York
State
New York
ZIP Code
10038-1598
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Pace University Degree Worth It?
At $68,092/year against a $70,378 median graduate salary, Pace University 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 $74,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.68%.
How much does a degree from Pace University Cost?
The sticker price is $68,092/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
27.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 46.4% take federal loans at Pace University. File your FAFSA early and list Pace University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Pace University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $70,378. That's about 73% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pace University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pace University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | 1223 | 26 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pace University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
Degree Programs at Pace University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Pace University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Pace University run about $70,378 a year.
At about $68,092 a year, Pace University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 27.1% receive a Pell Grant at Pace University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 77.1%, Pace University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Pace University average a 3.4 GPA.
Pace University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.1 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3, Pace 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 Pace University — aim above 1232, ideally within the 1130–1328 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Pace University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/01. 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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