Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Greensboro, North Carolina
83.8% Acceptance Rate
Guilford College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.8%Acceptance Rate
3.14Avg GPA
1120Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$55,495Annual Cost
$47,590Grad Salary
43.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.8%
Avg GPA
3.14
Avg SAT
1120
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1250
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Need-Based Aid
43.6% receive Pell
Guilford College is a private, liberal arts college in North Carolina founded on Quaker values. Known for its commitment to community, equality, and peace, the college fosters an environment where students engage in rigorous intellectual work, practical action, and social responsibility, preparing them for lives of integrity.
Guilford College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Guilford College is inclusive by design. 83.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.14 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.69
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Guilford College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Guilford College 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 10 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 94 days left — Early Decision
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Guilford 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.
Early Decision
November 10
Early Action
December 1
Regular Decision (Spring entry)
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) 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.
Guilford College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Guilford College is 3.14. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.84–3.14 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.34–3.54.Guilford College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as 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
3.14 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.94 – 3.13
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.74 – 2.93
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.73
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Application is always free with a 100% test-optional policy; the admission essay is conditional - it "may be requested" only after transcripts are reviewed, rather than being automatically required of every applicant.
- Rise at Guilford is a residential summer program for current high school juniors offering coursework in international relations and entrepreneurship plus 6 college credits, with scholarships available.
- Guilford College Early Bridge is a three-week immersive residential program letting incoming freshmen earn college credit before their first semester officially begins.
- CAPE advisers work with students specifically to connect coursework to real-world internships in Greensboro, elsewhere in the U.S., or internationally.
- 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 Guilford College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Guilford 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.
Guilford College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Guilford 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 Guilford College Without SAT or ACT?
Guilford College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Guilford College Average SAT Score: 1120
Admitted students at Guilford College average a 1120 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1120 — Less Competitive
A 1120 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Guilford College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1010? A retake is worth it at Guilford 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 | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 510 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1120 | 1010 | 1250 |
A score under 1010 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1250+ 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 1100
Can I get into Guilford College with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Guilford 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.
Guilford College ACT Requirements
Guilford College's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT English | 20 | 15 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into Guilford College with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Guilford College'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, Guilford College 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 Guilford College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Guilford College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know the essay is conditional, not automatic
Guilford's own catalog states an admission statement (essay) "may be requested after transcripts are reviewed," meaning some applicants are admitted on transcript strength alone. Don't assume you must write an essay upfront, but have one ready in case it's requested.
Apply to Rise at Guilford the summer before senior year
This residential program for current high school juniors combines coursework in international relations and entrepreneurship with 6 actual college credits earned before senior year begins, plus available scholarships. A rising senior interested in Guilford should apply specifically to test-drive campus while banking credit.
Consider Guilford College Early Bridge for a pre-freshman head start
This three-week immersive residential program lets incoming freshmen earn college credit before their first official semester starts - a genuinely rare pre-matriculation credit-earning opportunity most colleges don't offer.
Engage a CAPE adviser early to shape an internship path
Guilford pairs students with CAPE advisers specifically to connect coursework to real-world experience and internships in Greensboro, out of town, or globally. Engage this relationship early rather than waiting until junior year to think about internships.
Expert Insight:
Guilford markets itself heavily as "100 percent test optional" and "always free to apply," which can create an impression of low selectivity - but the college requires a completed secondary school record (and a GED for students without a diploma) and is not a fully open-admission institution despite the low-friction messaging. Submit a complete, thoughtful application rather than treating the free, test-optional framing as a sign that effort doesn't matter.
Guilford College Profile
Full Name
Guilford College
City
Greensboro
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27410-4108
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Guilford College Degree Worth It?
At $55,495/year against a $47,590 median graduate salary, Guilford 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 $63,100, and graduates see a 3.26% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Guilford College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $55,495/year at Guilford College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Guilford College, 43.6% receive a Pell Grant and 54.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Guilford College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Guilford College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Guilford College graduates report a median income of $47,590, about 17% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Guilford College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Guilford College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Guilford College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Guilford College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Guilford College Admissions
Guilford College graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,590/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Guilford College runs high, at roughly $55,495+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
43.6% of Guilford College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Guilford College's acceptance rate is 83.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Guilford College students is 3.14, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.84 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Guilford College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.74 or below makes admission tougher at Guilford College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Guilford College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1120, and within the 1010–1250 range, keeps you competitive.
Guilford College's deadline is November 10 (Early Decision). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Guilford College'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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