Webb Institute — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Webb Institute, founded in 1889, is a unique specialized college in Glen Cove, New York, offering a single dual-degree program in naval architecture and marine engineering. All Webb students receive full-tuition scholarships through an endowment, making this elite technical education accessible. The institute's rigorous curriculum alternates between academic terms and paid internships at shipyards and design firms worldwide. Webb's small size (about 100 students total) ensures close mentorship from faculty who are industry experts.
The campus, located on Long Island Sound, includes a waterfront facility with towing tank and other marine engineering laboratories. Webb's January Work Term provides hands-on experience in shipbuilding and repair. Graduates are highly sought after by maritime industries, with 100% job placement. Webb's singular focus on naval architecture produces engineers who lead in designing ships, offshore structures, and marine systems that shape global commerce and transportation.
Webb Institute Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Webb Institute is 20%, which puts it squarely in the 'reach for most, match for the well-prepared' category.
What Webb Institute Admissions Looks For
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
- Sustained Involvement: Depth in 2–3 activities reads better than breadth across ten.
- Clear Intent: Interviews and supplements should show why this school specifically, not just any selective school.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Grades open the door at Webb Institute, but a strong, specific personal statement is often what closes it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Webb Institute Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark October 16 for Webb Institute (Early Decision — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 66 days left — Early Decision💡 The scholarship deadline (FAFSA (need-based room & board aid): 2026/02/15) 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.
Webb Institute GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Webb Institute is 4. That makes admissions here extremely selective on GPA. Near the top of your class is the expectation, not the exception.. Most admitted students carry mostly A's across the board.
AP or IB courses aligned with your intended major (calculus and physics for engineering, for instance) meaningfully strengthen an application here.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.20–4.40.Webb Institute GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor, including AP, IB, or Honors, to back it up.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is approximately 14%.
- Enrolls only about 28 new students each year.
- All U.S. citizens and permanent residents receive a full-tuition scholarship.
- Finalists must complete an interview process that includes an overnight visit, math assessment, and writing exercise.
- 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 Webb Institute
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Webb Institute's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Webb Institute Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Webb Institute. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Webb Institute Without SAT or ACT?
Webb Institute Average SAT Score: 1480
Admitted students at Webb Institute average a 1480 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
Webb Institute's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Scored under 1390? A retake is worth it at Webb Institute. 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 | 750 | 720 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 708 | 670 | 745 |
| SAT Composite | 1480 | 1390 | 1525 |
A score under 1390 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1525+ 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 1500
Can I get into Webb Institute with a 1550 SAT?
At 1550, your SAT is squarely in Webb Institute'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Webb Institute
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Webb Institute rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Webb offers only one undergraduate degree. Use every component of the application to demonstrate genuine interest in ships, marine systems, engineering design, maritime industries, or related technical fields. Applicants who appear undecided about the field are at a major disadvantage.
Webb includes an optional "Why Webb or Why Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering?" essay. Because of the institution's specialized mission and tiny class size, serious applicants should use this space to demonstrate deep knowledge of both the profession and the college.
Selected finalists participate in an overnight visit that includes interviews with senior leadership and faculty, a math assessment, and a writing exercise. Strong applicants practice discussing engineering interests and reviewing core mathematics through precalculus-level concepts.
With an incoming class of roughly 28 students, Webb is evaluating community fit as much as academic ability. Provide evidence that you collaborate well, handle close-knit environments, and contribute positively to residential communities.
Webb Institute Profile
Is a Webb Institute Degree Worth It?
Webb Institute 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $77,300, and graduates see a 2.73% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Webb Institute Cost?
Listed tuition runs $78,140/year at Webb Institute. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Webb Institute, 8.8% receive a Pell Grant and 22.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Webb Institute on it improves your shot at both.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Webb Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 1433 | 32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 1447 | 33 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Webb Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA | 1486 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Webb Institute. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Webb Institute
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Webb Institute Admissions
Tuition at Webb Institute runs high, at roughly $78,140+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
Pell Grant data isn't published for Webb Institute. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.
Webb Institute's acceptance rate is 20%, in the 10–20% band. Admission is very competitive and requires a strong academic profile.
The average GPA of admitted Webb Institute students is 4, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.7 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Webb Institute. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.6 or below makes admission tougher at Webb Institute, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Webb Institute weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1480, and within the 1390–1525 range, keeps you competitive.
Webb Institute's deadline is October 16 (Early Decision).
Webb Institute charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before FAFSA (need-based room & board aid): 2026/02/15. That's Webb Institute'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.
