Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Albany, New York
69.9% Acceptance Rate
University at Albany — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.9%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
1220Avg SAT
$28,490Annual Cost
$67,979Grad Salary
42.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.9%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
1220
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1180–1250
Avg Net Price
$18,486
Need-Based Aid
42.1% receive Pell
The University at Albany, SUNY, established in 1844 as a normal school, is now a premier public research university ranked among the top national universities by U.S. News. As one of four University Centers in the SUNY system, UAlbany offers 120+ undergraduate programs across nine schools and colleges, with particular excellence in criminal justice, public health, and atmospheric science. The university's 586-acre campus features distinctive modernist architecture including the iconic ETEC (Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex) and the $180 million Massry Center for Business. UAlbany's research enterprise exceeds $150 million annually, with strengths in artificial intelligence and climate science.
Located in New York's capital region, UAlbany provides unparalleled access to government internships and partnerships with state agencies. The university's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy is nationally ranked, while its College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity is the first of its kind in the nation. UAlbany Great Danes compete in NCAA Division I athletics, and the campus hosts the renowned New York State Writers Institute. The university's diverse student body benefits from global learning opportunities through 600+ study abroad programs.
University at Albany Acceptance Rate
At 69.9%, admission to University at Albany is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What SUNY 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 — 69.9% 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).
University at Albany Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University at Albany is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 31.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 104 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 31
Regular Admission
February 1
Decision by: March 31
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SUNY GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SUNY 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.
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 3.50–3.70.SUNY GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 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
- Essay required, minimum 250 words, via Common App or SUNY App.
- Test-optional for most first-year applicants through Spring 2026 cycle; test-blind for merit scholarships.
- EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) offers a separate, need-based admission and support track with a lower academic bar and fee waiver.
- Early Action deadline Nov 15 (non-binding); Regular Feb 1; $50 application fee (waived for EOP).
- 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 SUNY
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University at Albany'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.
University at Albany (SUNY) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SUNY is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SUNY Without SAT or ACT?
SUNY considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University at Albany Average SAT Score: 1220
The average SAT score of admitted students at University at Albany is 1220 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1220 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University at 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 1180, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SUNY. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1220 | 1180 | 1250 |
Below 1180, you're behind most admitted students; at 1250 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 1200
Can I get into University at Albany (SUNY) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of SUNY'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 SUNY
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into SUNY isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Write your 250-word essay toward "contribution," not achievement
UAlbany's Common App/SUNY App essay requirement is a minimum-250-word open response, and readers here are explicitly evaluating how you'd contribute to a large public research community - an essay built around a specific campus community you'd plug into (a specific research center, a specific student org) reads stronger than a generic accomplishment narrative.
Check the EOP box honestly if you qualify - it changes your whole path
UAlbany's Educational Opportunity Program waives the application fee, uses a lower academic threshold (mid-range GPA 82?87, not the general admit range), and provides guaranteed academic and financial support - this isn't a backup plan, it's a genuinely different, well-supported admission track for NYS residents meeting income guidelines, and checking "yes" on the EOP indicator is easy to overlook if you're rushing the Common App.
Apply Early Action even though it's non-binding
UAlbany's Early Action deadline (Nov 15) carries no commitment risk but gets you a decision by end of December - this matters because it's test-optional and test-blind for merit scholarships, so an early complete file with strong GPA context gets read in a smaller, earlier applicant pool before the volume of Regular (Feb 1) applications hits.
Submit test scores only if they clearly help - decisions and scholarships are test-blind either way
Because UAlbany determines merit scholarships on a test-blind basis regardless of what you submit, there's no strategic upside to sending a mediocre score - submit only if your SAT/ACT is meaningfully above the 990?1070 SAT / 18?20 ACT mid-range, and lean on GPA and essay otherwise.
Expert Insight:
Homeschooled applicants and Guaranteed Entrance Program (with SUNY Upstate Medical) applicants are the exceptions to test-optional - students in either category who assume they can skip testing entirely get blindsided late in the process.
SUNY Profile
Full Name
University at Albany (SUNY)
City
Albany
State
New York
ZIP Code
12222
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SUNY Degree Worth It?
At $28,490/year against a $67,979 median graduate salary, SUNY 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 $70,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.65%.
How much does a degree from SUNY Cost?
The sticker price is $28,490/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $18,486.
42.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 52.4% take federal loans at SUNY. File your FAFSA early and list SUNY as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SUNY Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $67,979. That's 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 University at Albany. 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 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 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 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University at Albany. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University at Albany. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at SUNY
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SUNY Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University at Albany run about $67,979 a year.
At about $28,490 a year, University at Albany is on the more affordable end.
About 42.1% receive a Pell Grant at University at Albany. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 69.9%, University at Albany's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University at Albany average a 3.3 GPA.
University at Albany doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.9, University at 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 University at Albany — aim above 1220, ideally within the 1180–1250 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University at Albany is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 31.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
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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