Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Berea, Ohio
76.9% Acceptance Rate
Baldwin Wallace University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
76.9%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1176Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$54,200Annual Cost
$54,122Grad Salary
28.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
76.9%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1176
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1285
ACT Middle 50%
20–27
Need-Based Aid
28.5% receive Pell
Baldwin Wallace University is a private, comprehensive institution in Ohio known for its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and community engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university provides a supportive campus community that encourages critical inquiry, research, and leadership development. Its long-standing tradition of preparing students for professional and personal success makes it a high-value and meaningful choice.
Baldwin Wallace University Acceptance Rate
Baldwin Wallace University (Wallace College) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 76.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — 76.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.25
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Baldwin Wallace University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Baldwin Wallace University is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 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.
Wallace College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Wallace College is 3.7. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.40 and 3.7? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.90–4.10.Wallace College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.30 – 3.49
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.29
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- All Conservatory of Performing Arts applicants (music, music theatre, acting BFA) must audition - no exceptions
- Audition slots are first-come, first-served and often fill before the posted deadline
- Audition fee waivers are available by emailing perform@bw.edu
- BW's music theatre program has been named among Backstage's "Best Musical Theatre Programs" and The Hollywood Reporter's "25 Best Drama Schools"
- 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 Wallace College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Baldwin Wallace University's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Baldwin Wallace University (Wallace College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Wallace College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Wallace College Without SAT or ACT?
Wallace College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Baldwin Wallace University Average SAT Score: 1176
The average SAT score of admitted students at Baldwin Wallace University is 1176 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1176 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1285 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Baldwin Wallace University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Wallace 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 | 578 | 520 | 635 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 530 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1176 | 1050 | 1285 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1285 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 1200
Can I get into Baldwin Wallace University (Wallace College) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of Wallace 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.
Baldwin Wallace University (Wallace College) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Wallace College is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 27 |
Can I get into Baldwin Wallace University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Wallace College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Wallace College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Wallace College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Wallace College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
If you're auditioning for the Conservatory, apply the day applications open
Every Conservatory applicant - music, music theatre, acting BFA - must audition, and audition slots are first-come, first-served and fill up well before the stated deadlines. Submit your Common App and audition fee as early as August, not near the deadline, to get your preferred slot.
Request an audition fee waiver if cost is a barrier
BW explicitly offers audition fee waivers by emailing perform@bw.edu - most applicants never ask and assume they're priced out. Request it before the audition period, not after you've already skipped applying.
Music theatre applicants: choose your audition route deliberately
You can audition through the unified MTCA circuit or directly through BW's own campus/Zoom/recorded video process - MTCA has an earlier submission deadline than the standalone route. Decide which fits your travel and timeline before you commit to one.
Treat your audition as your primary scholarship document
Conservatory scholarship money, like the Griffiths Scholarship, is awarded based on audition quality and is renewable on a 3.0 GPA - not on your essay or transcript. Put your prep time where the money actually gets decided.
Expert Insight:
Strong performers sometimes submit the Common App late, assuming the audition is all that matters. But the audition portal only opens once you're in BW's applicant system - a late application can cost you the best remaining audition dates even if your talent is undeniable.
Wallace College Profile
Full Name
Baldwin Wallace University (Wallace College)
City
Berea
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
44017-2088
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Wallace College Degree Worth It?
At $54,200/year against a $54,122 median graduate salary, Wallace College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $66,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.71%.
How much does a degree from Wallace College Cost?
The sticker price is $54,200/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
28.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 79.2% take federal loans at Wallace College. File your FAFSA early and list Wallace College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Wallace College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $54,122. That's about 33% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Baldwin Wallace 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 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Baldwin Wallace University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Baldwin Wallace 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 Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Wallace College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Wallace College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Baldwin Wallace University run about $54,122 a year.
At about $54,200 a year, Baldwin Wallace University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 28.5% receive a Pell Grant at Baldwin Wallace University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 76.9%, Baldwin Wallace University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Baldwin Wallace University average a 3.7 GPA.
Baldwin Wallace University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.4 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.3, Baldwin Wallace University 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 Baldwin Wallace University — aim above 1176, ideally within the 1050–1285 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Baldwin Wallace University is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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.