Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Salisbury, North Carolina
74.1% Acceptance Rate
Livingstone College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.1%Acceptance Rate
2.64Avg GPA
880Avg SAT
$28,227Annual Cost
$32,600Grad Salary
83.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.1%
Avg GPA
2.64
Avg SAT
880
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
840–910
Need-Based Aid
83.9% receive Pell
Livingstone College, established in 1879 in Salisbury, North Carolina, is an HBCU with a rich tradition in business administration, teacher education, and theological studies.
The 272-acre campus includes the historic Andrew Carnegie Library, the Tubman Theater, and the new Student Center. Maintaining its African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church heritage, the college prepares students for professional careers through its 'Livingstone Legacy' of leadership and service.
Livingstone College Acceptance Rate
At 74.1%, admission to Livingstone College is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Livingstone College 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 — 74.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.44 – 2.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Livingstone College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Livingstone 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
Livingstone 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.
Livingstone College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Livingstone College is 2.64. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
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 2.84–3.04.Check Your Admission Chances at Livingstone College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Livingstone College'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.
Livingstone College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Livingstone College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Livingstone College Without SAT or ACT?
Livingstone College neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Livingstone College Average SAT Score: 880
The average SAT score of admitted students at Livingstone College is 880 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 880 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (910 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Livingstone College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 840, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Livingstone College. 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 | 880 | 840 | 910 |
Below 840, you're behind most admitted students; at 910 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 900
Can I get into Livingstone College with a 900 SAT?
A 900 SAT puts you ahead of most of Livingstone College'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 Livingstone College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Livingstone College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Lean into LC Connections
When you write your personal statement, explicitly connect your background to Livingstone?s LC Connections first-year support model-tutoring, mentoring, and structured learning communities. Show you?re not just looking for ?any HBCU,? but specifically for a Christian-based, historically Black college that invests heavily in first-year success and retention.
Show HBCU mission alignment, not just stats
Livingstone?s admissions team sees a lot of applicants with similar GPAs and test scores. Use your essay to explain why you want to be part of ?Blue Bear Nation? and how you?ll contribute to leadership and service in a Christian-based, HBCU environment. Mention specific programs (e.g., STEAM, teacher education, workforce development) and how they match your goals.
Use Common Black College Application strategically
If you?re applying to multiple HBCUs, consider using the Common Black College Application, which includes Livingstone. That can save time and fees, but be careful: Livingstone still wants a strong personal statement that?s clearly tailored to them, not a generic ?HBCU? essay.
Highlight resilience and readiness for a small, Christian-based campus
Livingstone?s Christian-based, holistic learning environment is central to its identity. In your application, show that you?re comfortable with-and excited by-a smaller, faith-informed campus where faculty know students personally. Talk about how you?ll engage with campus ministries, service projects, or leadership roles.
Expert Insight:
Don?t assume Livingstone is a ?safety? just because the acceptance rate is around 59%. Applicants who treat it as a backup and submit generic essays often get waitlisted or rejected despite solid stats.
Livingstone College Profile
Full Name
Livingstone College
City
Salisbury
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28144
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Livingstone College Degree Worth It?
Livingstone College 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 $55,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.54%.
How much does a degree from Livingstone College Cost?
The sticker price is $28,227/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
83.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 83.7% take federal loans at Livingstone College. File your FAFSA early and list Livingstone College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Livingstone College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $32,600. That's 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 Livingstone 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 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Livingstone College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Livingstone 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 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
Degree Programs at Livingstone College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Livingstone College Admissions
Median earnings for Livingstone College graduates sit around $32,600 a year.
At about $28,227 a year, Livingstone College is on the more affordable end.
With 83.9% of Livingstone College students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Livingstone College is the key move.
At 74.1%, Livingstone College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Livingstone College average a 2.64 GPA.
Livingstone College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.34 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.24, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College — aim above 880, ideally within the 840–910 range admitted students typically fall in.
Livingstone College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 25. 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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