Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Greensboro, North Carolina
33.6% Acceptance Rate
Bennett College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
33.6%Acceptance Rate
2.74Avg GPA
890Avg SAT
$39,900Annual Cost
$36,654Grad Salary
75%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
33.6%
Avg GPA
2.74
Avg SAT
890
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
SAT Middle 50%
858–946
Need-Based Aid
75% receive Pell
Bennett College Bennett College, founded in 1873 in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a historically black liberal arts college for women affiliated with the United Methodist Church. As one of only two all-women's HBCUs in the nation, Bennett provides a transformative education emphasizing leadership, social justice, and global perspectives. The 55-acre campus features historic buildings like the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel and modern facilities including the Global Learning Center. Bennett maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, fostering close mentoring relationships between students and professors. The college is particularly known for its strong programs in the sciences, education, and interdisciplinary studies.
Bennett College takes pride in its legacy of educating African-American women leaders and its commitment to social change. Campus life includes traditions like the Bell Tower ceremony and active participation in Greensboro's civil rights history. The college has strengthened its STEM offerings while preserving its strong liberal arts foundation. Bennett's Women's Leadership Institute and study abroad programs provide unique development opportunities. Despite financial challenges in recent years, the college has maintained its accreditation and continues its mission. Bennett's combination of single-gender education, HBCU heritage, and focus on leadership creates a distinctive environment for empowering African-American women.
Bennett College Acceptance Rate
Bennett College admits roughly 33.6% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What Bennett College Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 33.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.74 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.54 – 2.73
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.29
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bennett College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Bennett College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Bennett College 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Bennett College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bennett College is 2.74. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 2.94–3.14.Bennett College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
2.74 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.54 – 2.73
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.34 – 2.53
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.33
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One of only two historically Black colleges nationally exclusively for women (with Spelman); operates on a deliberately small "microcollege" model
- Dual-degree engineering program available in partnership with North Carolina A&T University
- Currently accredited by TRACS following a 2018?2020 accreditation crisis with prior accreditor SACSCOC - now resolved and stable
- Reported completion rate is approximately 25%; ask directly about retention support given the college's small size and history
- 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 Bennett College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Bennett College'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.
Bennett College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Bennett College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Bennett College Without SAT or ACT?
Bennett College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bennett College Average SAT Score: 890
Admitted students at Bennett College average a 890 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 890 — Accessible
A 890 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (946 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Bennett College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 858? A retake is worth it at Bennett College — 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 | 422 | 405 | 438 |
| SAT Reading | 481 | 453 | 508 |
| SAT Composite | 890 | 858 | 946 |
A score under 858 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 946+ 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 900
Can I get into Bennett College with a 950 SAT?
At 950, your SAT is squarely in Bennett College'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 Bennett College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at Bennett College means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Treat the "Microcollege" Model as a Deliberate Choice, Not a Fallback
Bennett explicitly markets and structures itself around a "microcollege model" - intentional small size for a personal, close-knit experience. A student should ask specifically how faculty mentorship, course access, and advising work at this scale, and frame the small size as an active fit factor in their application rather than treating Bennett as a fallback option behind larger schools.
Ask Specifically About the NC A&T Dual-Degree Engineering Structure
Bennett offers a dual-degree engineering program in partnership with North Carolina A&T University - a genuine path to an engineering credential within a single-sex HBCU environment that doesn't otherwise offer engineering independently. A student interested in this path should ask admissions specifically how many years are spent at each institution and which school grants which degree, since dual-degree structures vary in their specifics.
Understand TRACS Accreditation and Confirm Current Transfer Implications
Bennett's current accreditor is TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools), following a widely publicized 2018?2020 accreditation crisis with its former accreditor, SACSCOC. This is now resolved and stable, but TRACS is a specialized, faith-affiliated accreditor rather than the mainstream regional accreditor most peer institutions use. A family should ask directly how this affects credit transfer to non-TRACS institutions or certain graduate programs before assuming full equivalency.
Name the Rare Women's-HBCU Positioning Directly in Application Materials
Bennett is one of only two historically Black colleges nationally that enroll exclusively women (the other being Spelman). A student should leverage this specific, rare combination - women's-only, HBCU, deliberately small - directly in scholarship essays and interest statements, since it signals genuine alignment with a mission that even most other HBCUs don't share.
Expert Insight:
Bennett underwent a serious, well-publicized accreditation crisis (SACSCOC withdrew accreditation in December 2018/February 2019 over financial concerns; the college secured a new accreditor, TRACS, by 2020). While now resolved and stable, a thorough family should understand this history and confirm Bennett's current accreditation and financial health directly, given the college's small size and a reported completion rate of approximately 25%.
Bennett College Profile
Full Name
Bennett College
City
Greensboro
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27401-3239
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Is a Bennett College Degree Worth It?
At $39,900/year against a $36,654 median graduate salary, Bennett College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $60,200, and graduates see a 4.88% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Bennett College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $39,900/year at Bennett College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Bennett College, 75% receive a Pell Grant and 72% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Bennett College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Bennett College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Bennett College graduates report a median income of $36,654, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bennett College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC | 857 | 16 |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bennett College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
Degree Programs at Bennett College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bennett College Admissions
Bennett College graduates earn a lower median salary of $36,654/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Bennett College is moderate, around $39,900/year; many students supplement with aid.
75.0% of Bennett College students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Bennett College as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Bennett College's acceptance rate is 33.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Bennett College students is 2.74, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.44 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Bennett College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.34 or below makes admission tougher at Bennett College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Bennett College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 890, and within the 858–946 range, keeps you competitive.
Bennett College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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