Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Montreat, North Carolina
65.6% Acceptance Rate
Montreat College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
65.6%Acceptance Rate
3.07Avg GPA
1125Avg SAT
$45,829Annual Cost
$45,151Grad Salary
40.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
65.6%
Avg GPA
3.07
Avg SAT
1125
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%
1085–1155
Need-Based Aid
40.4% receive Pell
Montreat College, established in 1916 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is a private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The college's 112-acre main campus offers breathtaking mountain views and access to outdoor recreation, complementing its academic programs in environmental studies, business, and ministry. Montreat's distinctive 'Commons' curriculum integrates faith, learning, and living through interdisciplinary coursework and service experiences. The college maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and emphasizes experiential learning through its location in the ecologically diverse Appalachian region.
Montreat's campus features historic stone buildings alongside modern facilities like the Howerton Christian Studies Center. The college's outdoor programs take advantage of the surrounding wilderness, offering unique courses in mountain ecology and adventure education. Montreat Cavaliers compete in NAIA athletics, while campus ministry programs include annual mission trips and local service projects. The college's strong alumni network includes notable Christian leaders and authors, reflecting its legacy of faith-based education in a stunning natural setting.
Montreat College Acceptance Rate
Montreat College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 65.6% each year.
What Montreat 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 — 65.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.07 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.87 – 3.06
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.62
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Montreat College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Montreat 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
Montreat 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.
Montreat College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Montreat College is 3.07. 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.
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 3.27–3.47.Montreat College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.07 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.87 – 3.06
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.67 – 2.86
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.66
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate approximately 65-66% (IPEDS-based sources); test blind - scores explicitly not considered even if submitted; rolling admissions; no Common App
- NSA/DHS-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education; cybersecurity is the #1 most popular major by enrollment according to Niche
- 50% six-year graduation rate (Niche); 14-person student-to-faculty ratio; ~699 full-time undergrads; Presbyterian-rooted but broadly interdenominational Christian
- Located in Montreat, NC in a gated cove community; adjacent to Pisgah National Forest; second campus in Black Mountain (72 acres, including National Register Manor House); ~15 minutes from Asheville
- 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 Montreat College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Montreat 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.
Montreat College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Montreat College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Montreat College Without SAT or ACT?
Montreat 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.
Montreat College Average SAT Score: 1125
The average SAT score of admitted students at Montreat College is 1125 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1125 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1155 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Montreat 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 1085, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Montreat 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 | 1125 | 1085 | 1155 |
Below 1085, you're behind most admitted students; at 1155 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 1150
Can I get into Montreat College with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Montreat 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 Montreat College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Montreat College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Know That Montreat Is Test Blind - Scores Won't Help You Here
Montreat has a genuine test-blind policy: SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission even if you submit them. This isn't merely test-optional - sending a 1500 SAT earns you nothing in the admissions office. The file lives and dies on your GPA (average admitted student: ~3.07), high school transcript, and the quality of your application narrative. Redirect the energy you'd spend on retesting into a compelling personal statement and, if you're interested in the cybersecurity or outdoor education programs, a note in your application about why those specific tracks drew you to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Position Yourself as a Cyber Student in a Mountain Setting - That Combination Is Rare
Montreat holds a formal NSA/DHS designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education - a credential most students and parents have never heard of and that very few small liberal arts colleges can claim. If cybersecurity is your path, you're looking at a program built around penetration testing, governance/risk/compliance, and data analytics, with mandatory internships that often convert to permanent roles. The fact that it sits on a 43-acre campus in the Appalachian foothills - with Pisgah National Forest as a literal neighbor - means the co-curricular life most cyber programs can't offer (whitewater, climbing, wilderness expeditions) comes with it.
Apply to the Outdoor Recreation Studies Program With Field Intentions Clear
The ORS program is one of Montreat's most structurally distinctive offerings: it trains Christian outdoor leaders using Pisgah National Forest as a classroom, with access to Class V whitewater, four wilderness areas, and climbing within two hours. The Discovery Wilderness Program runs a 21-day academic credit experience. If this is your track, your application should make your outdoor leadership experience and your understanding of faith-integrated environmental stewardship concrete - not just "I love hiking." Concentrations include Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Education, so name the concentration you want and explain why Montreat's specific geography and mission is the right container for that training.
Maximize the 98% Financial Aid Coverage - Every Traditional Undergrad Qualifies
Montreat reports that 98% of traditional undergraduates receive financial aid through programs like the Keystone Scholarship Fund. With rolling admissions and no supplemental essays required (no Common App - Montreat uses its own application), the path from application to aid offer is relatively streamlined. Visit campus early if you can: the Black Mountain campus includes a 72-acre wooded estate with a Manor House on the National Register of Historic Places, and experiencing the cove setting below Greybeard Mountain is genuinely part of understanding why this school fits the students it fits - or doesn't.
Expert Insight:
Montreat sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, including to McAlister Gymnasium, which was rebuilt and returned to competition by October 2025. Before committing, ask admissions directly which facilities and housing units were affected and what the current status of campus infrastructure is - this is a legitimate question, not an alarmist one, and a well-run admissions office will welcome it.
Montreat College Profile
Full Name
Montreat College
City
Montreat
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28757-1267
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Montreat College Degree Worth It?
Montreat 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 $61,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.38%.
How much does a degree from Montreat College Cost?
The sticker price is $45,829/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
40.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 67.4% take federal loans at Montreat College. File your FAFSA early and list Montreat College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Montreat College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,151. That's about 11% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Montreat 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 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Montreat 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 Montreat 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 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Montreat College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Montreat College Admissions
Median earnings for Montreat College graduates sit around $45,151 a year.
Montreat College costs roughly $45,829 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 40.4% receive a Pell Grant at Montreat College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 65.6%, Montreat College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Montreat College average a 3.07 GPA.
Montreat College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.77 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.67, Montreat 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 Montreat College — aim above 1125, ideally within the 1085–1155 range admitted students typically fall in.
Montreat College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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