Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
St. Andrews University (SAU) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Laurinburg, North Carolina

St. Andrews University (SAU) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Laurinburg, North Carolina 28352 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.sa.edu/

St. Andrews University — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

3.13Avg GPA
$49,709Annual Cost
$45,606Grad Salary
47.7%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.13
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Need-Based Aid
47.7% receive Pell

St. Andrews University, founded in 1958 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, is a Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college known for equestrian studies and creative writing. It emphasizes experiential learning.

The campus features riding arenas, science labs, and Scotland-inspired architecture. Its tight-knit community and study abroad programs foster global perspectives.

St. Andrews University Acceptance Rate

Admission at St. Andrews University is inclusive by design. 100% 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

Open Enrollment
St. Andrews University Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
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
3.13 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.93 – 3.12
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.68
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

St. Andrews University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

St. Andrews University 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

SAU 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.

March 1, 2026Scholarship Deadline
RollingAdmission Type

💡 The scholarship deadline (March 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.

SAU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at SAU is 3.13. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 2.83–3.13 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 3.33–3.53.

SAU 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
3.13 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.93 – 3.12
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.73 – 2.92
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.72
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Permanently closed May 5, 2025, after financial difficulties; previously a branch campus of Webber International University since a 2011 merger.
  • Originally founded 1958 (as St. Andrews Presbyterian College) via merger of Flora Macdonald College and Presbyterian Junior College.
  • At least 17 institutions expressed interest in teach-out agreements, including Brevard College, Appalachian State, and High Point University.
  • Parent institution Webber International University (Babson Park, FL) remains open and unaffected.
  • 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 SAU

Admission Chance Predictor

Built from St. Andrews University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below

--%
Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

St. Andrews University (SAU) Test Requirements

Scores aren't just a formality at SAU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.

Can I Get Into SAU Without SAT or ACT?

SAU's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SAU

Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer

SAU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.

Do not apply here - this institution has permanently closed

St. Andrews University (Laurinburg, NC), a branch of Webber International University, ceased all operations on May 5, 2025, citing unsustainable finances. There is no active admissions process to redirect a strategy toward.

If you're a former or admitted SAU student, use the teach-out pathway

St. Andrews arranged teach-out and transfer agreements with at least 17 institutions, including Brevard College, Appalachian State University, and High Point University. Contact one of these directly and request your SAU degree audit be applied to their transfer credit evaluation.

Request official transcripts through North Carolina's state archive

Since the institution no longer operates its own registrar, former students need official transcripts through the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' academic transcript request service, not through St. Andrews directly.

Verify any "St. Andrews" mention elsewhere isn't this closed campus

Note that Webber International University itself (Babson Park, FL) remains open and operating - only the Laurinburg, NC branch campus closed. Don't confuse continuing Webber programs with the defunct St. Andrews branch.

Expert Insight:

This institution closed permanently in 2025 after a net loss of roughly $6.9 million in fiscal year 2023 and prior deficits - any student or family still finding "St. Andrews University Laurinburg" admissions pages online should treat that content as historical, not actionable, and go straight to a teach-out school instead.

SAU Profile

Full Name
St. Andrews University (SAU)
City
Laurinburg
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28352
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website

Is a SAU Degree Worth It?

At $49,709/year against a $45,606 median graduate salary, SAU 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 $55,400, and graduates see a 3.22% unemployment rate.

How much does a degree from SAU Cost?

Listed tuition runs $49,709/year at SAU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.

At SAU, 47.7% receive a Pell Grant and 69% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SAU on it improves your shot at both.

How much does a SAU Graduate earn?

Ten years out from enrollment, SAU graduates report a median income of $45,606, about 12% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$49,709Annual Cost
47.7%Pell Grant
69%Federal Loan
$45,606Grad Salary (10yr)

Degree Programs at SAU

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About SAU Admissions

St. Andrews University graduates earn a lower median salary of $45,606/year, especially outside technical fields.

Tuition at St. Andrews University is moderate, around $49,709/year; many students supplement with aid.

47.7% of St. Andrews University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.

The average GPA of admitted St. Andrews University students is 3.13, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.

There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.83 puts you in the standard applicant pool at St. Andrews University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.

A GPA of 2.73 or below makes admission tougher at St. Andrews University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.

St. Andrews University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026. That's St. Andrews University'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.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

Explore Other Options