Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Geneseo, New York
63.5% Acceptance Rate
SUNY College at Geneseo — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
63.5%Acceptance Rate
3.72Avg GPA
1296Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$26,461Annual Cost
$67,316Grad Salary
25.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
63.5%
Avg GPA
3.72
Avg SAT
1296
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1200–1380
ACT Middle 50%
26–31
Avg Net Price
$18,021
Need-Based Aid
25.4% receive Pell
SUNY College at Geneseo is a premier public liberal arts college in the State University of New York system, recognized for its commitment to academic rigor, student engagement, and scholarly excellence. Known for its distinguished faculty and strong tradition of critical inquiry, the college offers an intellectually challenging environment in a beautiful, historic setting. Its focus on student-faculty collaboration and personal development makes it a high-value choice for those seeking a rigorous and transformative liberal arts education.
SUNY College at Geneseo Acceptance Rate
SUNY College at Geneseo takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 63.5% each year.
What SUNY Geneseo 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 — 63.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.27
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
SUNY College at Geneseo Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
SUNY College at Geneseo follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
SUNY Geneseo 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.
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular
December 1
Regular
March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SUNY Geneseo GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SUNY Geneseo is 3.72. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.42 and 3.72? 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 3.92–4.12.SUNY Geneseo GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.72 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.52 – 3.71
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.32 – 3.51
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.31
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Uses the applySUNY/Common App personal statement (250-650 words); most applicants have no separate supplement.
- Acceptance rate is around 54%, more selective than many SUNY comprehensive campuses.
- One of only 293 four-year U.S. colleges with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
- Explicitly branded as a public honors college - this framing shapes what reviewers look for.
- 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 Geneseo
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on SUNY College at Geneseo'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.
SUNY College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SUNY Geneseo is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SUNY Geneseo Without SAT or ACT?
SUNY Geneseo considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
SUNY College at Geneseo Average SAT Score: 1296
The average SAT score of admitted students at SUNY College at Geneseo is 1296 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1296 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? SUNY College at Geneseo allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1200, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SUNY Geneseo. 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 | 640 | 590 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 650 | 610 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1296 | 1200 | 1380 |
Below 1200, you're behind most admitted students; at 1380 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 1300
Can I get into SUNY College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of SUNY Geneseo'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.
SUNY College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at SUNY Geneseo is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — 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 | 27 | 25 | 29 |
| ACT English | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 31 |
Can I get into SUNY College at Geneseo with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of SUNY Geneseo'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 SUNY Geneseo.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SUNY Geneseo
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SUNY Geneseo is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Lean into the honors-college brand
Geneseo markets itself as "New York's Public Honors College," not just another SUNY. Write your essay like you're applying to an honors program, not a safety school - name a specific research interest or interdisciplinary angle, not just "great value."
Your one essay is doing all the work
Most applicants won't get a separate supplement here - the applySUNY/Common App personal statement (250-650 words) is often the only written piece reviewers see. Pick the strongest of the seven prompts, not the easiest.
Transfers: show the upward line, not just the GPA
Geneseo explicitly evaluates "Academic Trend" for transfers - an upward semester-by-semester GPA matters more than one bad early term. Address any dip directly and show the trajectory since.
Name-drop the Phi Beta Kappa chapter
Geneseo is one of only 293 four-year colleges nationally with a chapter. If you're academically strong, referencing genuine interest in honors-level rigor signals you understand what sets this school apart from other SUNYs.
Expert Insight:
Because Geneseo is more selective than a typical SUNY comprehensive college (around 54% admit rate) but still gets treated as a "safety SUNY" by applicants, generic recycled essays land worse here than at peer schools - reviewers are used to seeing thin effort and it stands out badly.
SUNY Geneseo Profile
Full Name
SUNY College at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo)
City
Geneseo
State
New York
ZIP Code
14454-1465
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SUNY Geneseo Degree Worth It?
SUNY Geneseo offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $69,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.38%.
How much does a degree from SUNY Geneseo Cost?
The sticker price is $26,461/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $18,021.
25.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.1% take federal loans at SUNY Geneseo. File your FAFSA early and list SUNY Geneseo as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SUNY Geneseo Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $67,316. That's 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 SUNY College at Geneseo. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as SUNY College at Geneseo. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than SUNY College at Geneseo. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at SUNY Geneseo
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SUNY Geneseo Admissions
Median graduate earnings at SUNY College at Geneseo run about $67,316 a year.
At about $26,461 a year, SUNY College at Geneseo is on the more affordable end.
About 25.4% receive a Pell Grant at SUNY College at Geneseo. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 63.5%, SUNY College at Geneseo's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at SUNY College at Geneseo average a 3.72 GPA.
SUNY College at Geneseo doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.42 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.32, SUNY College at Geneseo 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 SUNY College at Geneseo — aim above 1296, ideally within the 1200–1380 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for SUNY College at Geneseo is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
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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