Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Raleigh, North Carolina
97.4% Acceptance Rate
William Peace University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
97.4%Acceptance Rate
3.67Avg GPA
1198Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$49,103Annual Cost
$46,643Grad Salary
34.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
97.4%
Avg GPA
3.67
Avg SAT
1198
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1140–1280
ACT Middle 50%
22–27
Need-Based Aid
34.5% receive Pell
William Peace University, established in 1857 in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution offering business, education, and criminal justice programs.
The 19-acre urban campus features the Main Building with its historic rotunda, modern science labs, and the new Falcon Center for student life. Its location provides access to state government and business internships.
William Peace University Acceptance Rate
William Peace University (Peace) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 97.4%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 97.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.22
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
William Peace University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
William Peace University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of March 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 226 days left — Rolling (Fall priority)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Peace 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.
Rolling (Fall priority)
March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Peace GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Peace is 3.67. Peace is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.87-4.07 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.37 and 3.67, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
Peace GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at Peace utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.67, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.27 – 3.46
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.26
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- All traditional undergraduates complete a 120-hour, for-credit internship as a graduation requirement - a structural feature of the degree, not an optional add-on.
- Rolling admissions with no hard deadline; $50 application fee; March 1 (Fall) / November 1 (Spring) recommended for best scholarship consideration.
- Essay/personal statement is optional for most applicants but required for some freshmen per CollegeData; one letter of recommendation is recommended for all freshmen.
- Offers distinctive small-college majors like Esports and Gaming Administration; originally founded in 1857 as a women's college, now fully coeducational.
- The Rigor Metric: At Peace, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Peace
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on William Peace University'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.
William Peace University (Peace) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Peace Without SAT or ACT?
William Peace University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
William Peace University Average SAT Score: 1198
The average SAT score of the admitted students at William Peace University is 1198 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1198 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1198 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1280 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. William Peace University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1140, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Peace. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 595 | 550 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 615 | 590 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1198 | 1140 | 1280 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1140 then you are below most of the admitted students at Peace and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1280 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into William Peace University (Peace) with a 1300 SAT?
With a 1300 SAT Score, your chances of admission at William Peace University (Peace) are good but the admission staff at Peace tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
William Peace University (Peace) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Peace is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes William Peace University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 25 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 27 |
Can I get into William Peace University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at William Peace University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at William Peace University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that William Peace University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether William Peace University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 27 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Peace
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Peace provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Treat the mandatory internship as a major-choice factor, not an afterthought
WPU builds a 120-hour, for-credit internship into the graduation requirement for essentially all traditional undergraduates (95% of internship supervisors said they'd consider the student for permanent hire). Before enrolling, ask admissions specifically which internship sites are typically available for your intended major - WPU's 96% placement outcome is built on the quality of that internship match, not the degree alone.
Submit the "optional" essay if you're anywhere near the borderline
CollegeData's own disclosure confirms the personal essay is required for some freshmen, not universally optional as WPU's marketing implies - this almost certainly applies to applicants below the school's mid-50% range (SAT 1080-1225 / ACT 22-27, average GPA 3.67). Students in that zone should submit the essay, the recommended letter of recommendation, and a co-curricular resume as a package, since these become effective tie-breakers once academic numbers alone don't settle the decision.
Verify capacity for niche majors like Esports and Gaming Administration
WPU offers unusually specific programs for a college this size, including Esports and Gaming Administration. Students drawn to a niche major like this should ask directly about current faculty headcount and facility readiness - small colleges can market a distinctive major well before it has the same depth as their core liberal-arts programs.
Apply by the recommended (not hard) deadline to protect scholarship range
WPU's admissions truly never closes, but it recommends March 1 (Fall) / November 1 (Spring) specifically because merit scholarships ($4,000?$18,000) are allocated by the admissions committee and can tighten for later applicants even though the application itself stays open. Treat the "recommended" date as the real deadline for financial planning purposes.
Expert Insight:
A specific risk at a career-focused college like this: students often assume the mandatory internship is arranged automatically by the school. In practice, the student must actively coordinate with Career Services to secure a placement fitting their schedule and major, and delays in starting that process - especially for students juggling outside work or family obligations - can push back graduation. Start the internship-placement conversation in year one, not junior year.
Peace Profile
Full Name
William Peace University (Peace)
City
Raleigh
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27604-1194
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Peace Degree Worth It?
Getting into Peace can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Peace offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Peace is $63,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.35%.
How much does a degree from Peace Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at William Peace University is $49,103. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at William Peace University is much less than this.
34.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 62.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Peace and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At William Peace University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Peace as your choice in the form.
How much does a Peace Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $46,643. An average Peace graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than William Peace University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as William Peace University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than William Peace University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Peace
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Peace Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $46,643 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $49,103 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
34.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of William Peace University is 97.4% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.67. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.37, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.37, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.27 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.67, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to William Peace University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1198 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1140–1280.
The application deadline for William Peace University is March 1. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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