Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Canton, New York
58.5% Acceptance Rate
St Lawrence University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.5%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1343Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$79,665Annual Cost
$67,258Grad Salary
21%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.5%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1343
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1255–1410
ACT Middle 50%
29–32
Need-Based Aid
21% receive Pell
St. Lawrence University, established in 1856 in Canton, New York, is a top-tier liberal arts college known for environmental studies and international programs.
The 1,000-acre campus along the Grasse River includes the Johnson Hall of Science, the Owen D. Young Library, and extensive outdoor education facilities. Its signature 'First-Year Program' builds intellectual community.
St Lawrence University Acceptance Rate
St Lawrence University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 58.5% each year.
What St Lawrence University 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 — 58.5% 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).
St Lawrence University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for St Lawrence University (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 89 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2027) 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.
St Lawrence University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St Lawrence 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.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.80–4.00.St Lawrence University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.60 – 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
- No application fee, test-optional for all applicants, no required supplemental essay.
- Requires official transcript, counselor letter, and TWO academic teacher letters of recommendation - more recommender load than typical peer schools.
- International students and non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
- Recently reported acceptance rate around 63.5%, with submitted-score averages around 1330 SAT / 30 ACT for the roughly 19% who do submit.
- 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 St Lawrence University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from St Lawrence University'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.
St Lawrence University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at St Lawrence University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into St Lawrence University Without SAT or ACT?
St Lawrence University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
St Lawrence University Average SAT Score: 1343
Admitted students at St Lawrence University average a 1343 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1343 — Competitive
A 1343 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1410 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? St Lawrence University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1255? A retake is worth it at St Lawrence University. 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 | 663 | 625 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 670 | 630 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1343 | 1255 | 1410 |
A score under 1255 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1410+ 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 1350
Can I get into St Lawrence University with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in St Lawrence University'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.
St Lawrence University ACT Requirements
St Lawrence University's admitted students average an ACT of 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
St Lawrence University's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 31 | 29 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 29 | 32 |
Can I get into St Lawrence University with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of St Lawrence University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, St Lawrence University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for St Lawrence University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
St Lawrence University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Skip drafting a St. Lawrence-specific supplemental essay - none is required
St. Lawrence accepts the Common Application or its own St. Lawrence Application with no required supplemental essay beyond the standard personal statement - students should redirect supplemental-essay-writing time toward schools that actually require one rather than over-preparing for St. Lawrence.
Use the optional interview strategically as a demonstrated-interest signal
Interviews aren't required but are explicitly framed as "casual conversation" with an admissions counselor, offered on-campus or virtually - for a student who visits or has strong things to say about fit, this is a low-stakes, high-value way to add a personal touch a pure paper file lacks.
Get two teacher letters plus a counselor letter lined up early
St. Lawrence requires an official high school transcript, one counselor letter, AND two academic teacher letters of recommendation - this is more recommender load than many peer schools ask for, so start those requests early rather than assuming one teacher letter suffices.
Submit test scores only if they clear the 1330 SAT / 30 ACT range reported for submitters
St. Lawrence is test-optional, and students who do submit scores average notably high (1330 SAT / 30 ACT); a score below that band should simply be omitted rather than submitted defensively - test-optional schools do not penalize omission.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes over-invest in polishing a "Why St. Lawrence" essay assuming it's required like at peer liberal arts colleges - that effort is better spent on the two teacher recommendation letters and the counselor letter, which is where St. Lawrence actually asks for more than most schools.
St Lawrence University Profile
Full Name
St Lawrence University
City
Canton
State
New York
ZIP Code
13617
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a St Lawrence University Degree Worth It?
Whether St Lawrence 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,700, and graduates see a 3.49% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from St Lawrence University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $79,665/year at St Lawrence University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At St Lawrence University, 21% receive a Pell Grant and 55% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming St Lawrence University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a St Lawrence University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, St Lawrence University graduates report a median income of $67,258, about 66% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than St Lawrence University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as St Lawrence University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than St Lawrence University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
Degree Programs at St Lawrence University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About St Lawrence University Admissions
St Lawrence University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $67,258/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at St Lawrence University runs high, at roughly $79,665+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
21.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. St Lawrence University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
St Lawrence University's acceptance rate is 58.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted St Lawrence University students is 3.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at St Lawrence University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.2 or below makes admission tougher at St Lawrence University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
St Lawrence University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1343, and within the 1255–1410 range, keeps you competitive.
St Lawrence University's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2027. That's St Lawrence University'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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