Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Wilberforce, Ohio
52.7% Acceptance Rate
Wilberforce University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
52.7%Acceptance Rate
2.82Avg GPA
980Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$23,450Annual Cost
$38,298Grad Salary
74.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
52.7%
Avg GPA
2.82
Avg SAT
980
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
940–1010
ACT Middle 50%
15–21
Need-Based Aid
74.4% receive Pell
Wilberforce University Wilberforce University, founded in 1856 in Ohio, holds the distinction of being America's first private historically black university. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilberforce offers liberal arts and professional programs with a focus on leadership development. The 125-acre campus features historic buildings like Galloway Hall and modern facilities including the new STEM Center. Wilberforce maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, fostering close mentoring relationships. The university is particularly known for its business administration and computer science programs that prepare students for 21st-century careers.
Wilberforce takes pride in its rich legacy as an HBCU and its continued commitment to African-American education. Campus life includes traditions like the Honors Convocation and active participation in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The university's athletic teams, the Bulldogs, compete in NAIA sports. Recent initiatives include partnerships with major corporations to enhance STEM education. Despite financial challenges, Wilberforce continues its mission of providing accessible, transformative education. The university's combination of historical significance, small size, and focus on leadership creates a distinctive environment for nurturing African-American scholars.
Wilberforce University Acceptance Rate
At 52.7%, admission to Wilberforce University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Wilberforce 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 — 52.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.82 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.62 – 2.81
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.37
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Wilberforce University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Wilberforce 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
Wilberforce 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Wilberforce University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Wilberforce University is 2.82. 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.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.02–3.22.Wilberforce University 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
2.82 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.62 – 2.81
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.42 – 2.61
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.41
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- HLC accreditation status as of October 31, 2024: fully Accredited with no active sanction - all prior probation (2018-2021) and 'on notice' (2023-2024) designations have been removed. Verify directly at hlcommission.org before referencing historical status.
- Application deadline June 30 for fall; $25 application fee; test-optional (SAT/ACT considered if submitted, not required); average enrolled student SAT approximately 890, ACT 15-21; GPA around 2.82 average. Apply early for best financial aid and housing positioning.
- All students participate in internships as a structural degree requirement, coordinated through the Cooperative Education and Career Services Program - Wilberforce frames this as integral to its educational model, not a supplemental add-on.
- Wilberforce is the oldest private HBCU owned and operated by African Americans (founded 1856); affiliated with the AME Church; located in Wilberforce, OH near Dayton; 20 undergraduate programs in a liberal arts framework; master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling is the only graduate program.
- 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 Wilberforce University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Wilberforce University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Wilberforce University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Wilberforce University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Wilberforce University Without SAT or ACT?
Wilberforce University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Wilberforce University Average SAT Score: 980
Admitted students at Wilberforce University average a 980 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 980 — Accessible
A 980 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1010 SAT or 21 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Wilberforce University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 940? A retake is worth it at Wilberforce University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 980 | 940 | 1010 |
A score under 940 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1010+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Wilberforce University with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Wilberforce University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Wilberforce University ACT Requirements
Wilberforce University's admitted students average an ACT of 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
An average of 18 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 19 |
| ACT English | 18 | 13 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 15 | 21 |
Can I get into Wilberforce University with a 21 ACT?
At 21, you're in the top quarter of Wilberforce University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Wilberforce University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Wilberforce University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Wilberforce University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Wilberforce Is Fully Accredited - But Know the History Before Dismissing or Over-Trusting It
Wilberforce University was placed on HLC accreditation probation in June 2018 due to financial deficits (including a $19+ million loss in FY2017) and insufficient institutional planning. It was removed from probation in 2021, then placed 'on notice' again in 2023 due to continued concerns about financial sustainability, enrollment variability, and data systems. Effective October 31, 2024, HLC officially changed the status from 'Accredited - On Notice' to simply 'Accredited,' removing all active sanctions. Current HLC status is fully accredited with no active sanction or designation. Students and families who encountered older headlines about probation or notice should verify the current status directly at the HLC Directory before making decisions - the landscape has changed materially, and the university is now in compliance with all accreditation criteria.
The Internship Requirement Is Structural - Apply to Wilberforce with a Specific Career Goal in Mind
Wilberforce requires all students to participate in internships that provide practical work experience as part of the degree program - this is not elective. The Cooperative Education and Career Services Program coordinates internship placements, scholarship applications, and professional development support. Wilberforce is small (approximately 600-700 undergraduates), operates near Dayton, Ohio, and draws from an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) church affiliation whose values of service and community engagement are embedded in campus life. Students applying should be able to articulate a specific career or service goal, not just a general interest in attending college - admissions gives favorable consideration to applicants whose records show 'potential for success' and engagement, not just GPA thresholds. The application asks for holistic materials including academic records and non-academic engagement.
Understand What the Application Deadline Actually Means
Wilberforce's published application deadline is June 30 for the fall semester - unusually late by four-year liberal arts standards. This reflects both the school's rolling admissions practice and its commitment to access for first-generation and underrepresented students who may not have applied to college by the spring. The $25 application fee is required. Test scores (SAT/ACT) are optional but considered if submitted; the average SAT for enrolled students is approximately 890 and the ACT is 15-21. Students with stronger-than-average test profiles should submit scores to distinguish themselves, as Wilberforce reviews holistically and scores that exceed the institutional average provide a meaningful signal in a file. Apply well before the June 30 deadline - housing and financial aid awards are distributed on a rolling basis and earlier applications often result in better aid packages.
Engage Directly with Wilberforce's Historic Identity in Your Application
Wilberforce is the nation's oldest private historically Black university owned and operated by African Americans, founded in 1856 - more than four years before the Civil War ended and at a moment when educating Black Americans was not merely uncommon but actively dangerous in much of the country. Notable alumni include former Malawi President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, educator and activist Hallie Quinn Brown, and jazz composer Frank Benjamin Foster III. The university is affiliated with the AME Church and explicitly cultivates advocacy for social justice and Black excellence alongside academic preparation. Applicants whose essays engage genuinely with this legacy - not performatively, but through specific connections to their own goals, community, or family history - resonate with a faculty and admissions team for whom this institutional identity is a living commitment, not a marketing line.
Expert Insight:
Wilberforce's six-year graduation rate as reported by Niche is approximately 12%, and retention figures have historically been a concern cited in HLC review letters. Students and families should weigh this directly: a low graduation rate at an institution that has recently navigated multi-year accreditation challenges means that completing a degree here requires significant self-direction, utilization of support services (including the Cooperative Education office), and proactive engagement with advisors. Wilberforce's accreditation is currently fully restored as of October 2024, but the resource constraints and retention challenges that contributed to past sanctions do not disappear overnight. Treat Wilberforce as a strong mission-fit choice that requires intentional planning, not a guaranteed four-year path.
Wilberforce University Profile
Full Name
Wilberforce University
City
Wilberforce
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
45384-1001
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Wilberforce University Degree Worth It?
Whether Wilberforce University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $51,700, and graduates see a 4.93% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Wilberforce University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $23,450/year at Wilberforce University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Wilberforce University, 74.4% receive a Pell Grant and 62.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Wilberforce University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Wilberforce University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Wilberforce University graduates report a median income of $38,298, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Wilberforce University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Wilberforce University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Wilberforce University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Wilberforce University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilberforce University Admissions
Wilberforce University graduates earn a lower median salary of $38,298/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Wilberforce University is relatively affordable, around $23,450/year.
74.4% of Wilberforce University students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Wilberforce University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Wilberforce University's acceptance rate is 52.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Wilberforce University students is 2.82, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.52 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Wilberforce University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.42 or below makes admission tougher at Wilberforce University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Wilberforce University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 980, and within the 940–1010 range, keeps you competitive.
Wilberforce University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Wilberforce University charges an application fee of 30; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
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.