Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Cincinnati, Ohio
56.5% Acceptance Rate
Mount St. Joseph University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
56.5%Acceptance Rate
3.56Avg GPA
1068Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$43,932Annual Cost
$51,509Grad Salary
27.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
56.5%
Avg GPA
3.56
Avg SAT
1068
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
880–1083
ACT Middle 50%
17–24
Need-Based Aid
27.3% receive Pell
Mount St. Joseph University, founded in 1920 in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a Catholic liberal arts university recognized for its nursing, education, and business programs. It emphasizes experiential learning and community engagement, ranking well for student outcomes.
The campus features simulation labs, a performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Its small class sizes and strong alumni network foster career readiness and personal growth.
Mount St. Joseph University Acceptance Rate
Mount St. Joseph University is moderately selective — 56.5% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Mount St Joseph University 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 — 56.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.11
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mount St. Joseph University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mount St. Joseph 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
Mount St Joseph University 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.
💡 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.
Mount St Joseph University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Mount St Joseph University is 3.56. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.26 and 3.56? 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 3.76–3.96.Mount St Joseph University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.16 – 3.35
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.15
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- DPT program requires disclosed mental/physical technical standards review before application.
- International graduate transcripts must be evaluated via World Education Service (WES).
- Graduate admission deposits due January 15.
- Undergraduate admission uses individualized holistic review (GPA, extracurriculars, essay) rather than formula-based decisions.
- 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 Mount St Joseph University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Mount St. Joseph 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.
Mount St. Joseph University (Mount St Joseph University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Mount St Joseph University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Mount St Joseph University Without SAT or ACT?
Mount St Joseph University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Mount St. Joseph University Average SAT Score: 1068
The average SAT score of admitted students at Mount St. Joseph University is 1068 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1068 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1083 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Mount St. Joseph 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 880, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Mount St Joseph University. 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 | 488 | 440 | 535 |
| SAT Reading | 494 | 440 | 548 |
| SAT Composite | 1068 | 880 | 1083 |
Below 880, you're behind most admitted students; at 1083 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 1050
Can I get into Mount St. Joseph University (Mount St Joseph University) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Mount St Joseph University'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.
Mount St. Joseph University (Mount St Joseph University) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Mount St Joseph University is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 15 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 24 |
Can I get into Mount St. Joseph University with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Mount St Joseph University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 Mount St Joseph University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mount St Joseph University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Mount St Joseph University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Confirm the DPT's specific mental/physical technical standards before applying
MSJ's Doctor of Physical Therapy program publishes explicit mental and physical technical standards candidates must review and later verify they can meet, with or without accommodation. Review these standards seriously before applying - this is a real disclosed prerequisite, not boilerplate.
Submit international transcripts through World Education Service specifically
International applicants to MSJ graduate programs must have transcripts evaluated through WES by name - using a different evaluation service can delay or complicate the application. Confirm this specific requirement before submitting any foreign credential evaluation.
Hit the January 15 admission deposit deadline for graduate programs
DPT and other graduate program admission deposits are due January 15 - plan financial aid and decision-making around this specific date rather than assuming a later general deposit deadline applies.
Lean into the holistic review for a student with a less traditional profile
MSJ conducts individual, comprehensive review considering academic record and extracurricular involvement together - a genuinely holistic process rather than a formula. A student with an unconventional but compelling background has real room to make their case here.
Expert Insight:
MSJ's overall acceptance rate (~54%) can read as broadly accessible - but graduate professional programs like DPT carry their own disclosed technical standards and document requirements (WES evaluation, specific TOEFL score tiers) that operate independently of undergraduate admission ease.
Mount St Joseph University Profile
Full Name
Mount St. Joseph University (Mount St Joseph University)
City
Cincinnati
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
45233-1670
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Mount St Joseph University Degree Worth It?
At $43,932/year against a $51,509 median graduate salary, Mount St Joseph University 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 $64,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.75%.
How much does a degree from Mount St Joseph University Cost?
The sticker price is $43,932/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
27.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 54.5% take federal loans at Mount St Joseph University — file your FAFSA early and list Mount St Joseph University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Mount St Joseph University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,509 — about 27% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mount St. Joseph University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mount St. Joseph University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mount St. Joseph University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| 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 |
Degree Programs at Mount St Joseph University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount St Joseph University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Mount St. Joseph University run about $51,509 a year.
Mount St. Joseph University costs roughly $43,932 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 27.3% receive a Pell Grant at Mount St. Joseph University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 56.5%, Mount St. Joseph University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Mount St. Joseph University average a 3.56 GPA.
Mount St. Joseph University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.26 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.16, Mount St. Joseph 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 Mount St. Joseph University — aim above 1068, ideally within the 880–1083 range admitted students typically fall in.
Mount St. Joseph University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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.