Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
Wilmington College — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Non-Profit Private Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Wilmington, Ohio 84.6% Acceptance Rate

Wilmington College Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Wilmington, Ohio 45177 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.wilmington.edu/

Wilmington College — Admission Snapshot 2026

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

84.6%Acceptance Rate
3.47Avg GPA
1042Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$41,751Annual Cost
$48,491Grad Salary
37.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.6%
Avg GPA
3.47
Avg SAT
1042
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
860–1050
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Need-Based Aid
37.3% receive Pell

Wilmington College is a private, liberal arts college in Ohio rooted in the Quaker tradition of peace, equality, and service. Known for its hands-on approach to education and strong career preparation, the college provides a supportive community that helps students integrate their personal values with their professional ambitions.

Wilmington College Acceptance Rate

Wilmington College runs an open-access admission policy. With a 84.6% 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
Wilmington College Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.02
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

Wilmington College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

Wilmington College 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

Wilmington College 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.

2026/12/01 (Honors/competitive scholarship priority)Scholarship Deadline
RollingAdmission Type

💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/12/01 (Honors/competitive scholarship priority)) 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.

Wilmington College GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at Wilmington College is 3.47. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 3.17–3.47 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

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 3.67–3.87.

Wilmington College 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
3.47 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.07 – 3.26
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.06
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • The Equine Center, built on 40 donated acres, lets students bring their own horse to campus and has grown from a minor into a full Equine Business Management major.
  • The Peace Resource Center is the only U.S. academic center wholly devoted to the human experience of nuclear war, housing the Barbara Reynolds Memorial Archives on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  • First-year applicants may use either the WC Application or the Common App with equal consideration.
  • The Center for Sport Sciences houses the Athletic Training program alongside on-site clinical partners including Drayer Physical Therapy Institute and Beacon Orthopedics and Sport Medicine.
  • 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 Wilmington College

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Wilmington College'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.

Wilmington College Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Wilmington College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into Wilmington College Without SAT or ACT?

Wilmington College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.

Wilmington College Average SAT Score: 1042

The average SAT score of admitted students at Wilmington College is 1042 on the 1600-point scale.

SAT Competitiveness

Wilmington College SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1042 — Accessible

This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.

SAT Math
470
SAT Reading
485
Composite
1042
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1050 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Wilmington College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

If your score is below 860, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Wilmington 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

SAT score percentiles for Wilmington College
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math470430510
SAT Reading485430540
SAT Composite10428601050

Below 860, you're behind most admitted students; at 1050 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 Wilmington College with a 1050 SAT?

A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of Wilmington 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.

Wilmington College ACT Requirements

The average ACT score at Wilmington College is 20.

ACT Competitiveness

Wilmington College ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive

This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for Wilmington College
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math201624
ACT English191522
ACT Composite201723

Can I get into Wilmington College with a 23 ACT?

A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Wilmington 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 Wilmington College.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 20

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Wilmington College

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Wilmington College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.

"Bring your horse to college" - use the Equine Center as a real recruiting draw, not just a program label

Wilmington's Equine Center, built on 40 donated acres, was launched under the literal promise that students could bring their own horse to campus - the program has since grown from a minor into a full Equine Business Management major. If you own a horse and are weighing schools, ask admissions specifically about on-site boarding logistics and costs, since this is a genuinely rare, hands-on differentiator most colleges can't offer.

Leverage the Peace Resource Center if you're interested in history, political science, or nuclear studies

Wilmington's Peace Resource Center is the only academic center and archive in the United States wholly devoted to the human experience of nuclear war, housing the Barbara Reynolds Memorial Archives on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If your academic interests touch on history, peace studies, political science, or international relations, ask specifically about research opportunities or independent study tied to this archive - it's a genuinely unique research resource tied directly to the college's Quaker identity.

Use the general WC Application or Common App interchangeably - there's no advantage to either

Wilmington accepts both its own WC Application and the Common App with equal consideration for first-year admission. Choose whichever platform is more convenient for your broader application process (e.g., Common App if you're already using it for multiple schools) rather than assuming one method gives you an edge.

Explore the Center for Sport Sciences if you're interested in Athletic Training or sports medicine

Wilmington's Center for Sport Sciences houses the Athletic Training program alongside on-site offices for Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, Beacon Orthopedics and Sport Medicine, and chiropractic services - genuine clinical partnerships embedded directly in the athletic facility. If you're pursuing Athletic Training or sports medicine, ask specifically about shadowing or practicum opportunities with these on-site partners rather than assuming clinical experience requires off-campus placement.

Expert Insight:

Applicants sometimes treat Wilmington's Quaker identity as a historical footnote rather than a lived institutional feature - but the Peace Resource Center's ongoing scholarly work and the college's seven core Quaker values shape campus culture in tangible ways. A student who doesn't engage with this identity at all may find themselves out of step with a meaningful part of daily campus life.

Wilmington College Profile

Full Name
Wilmington College
City
Wilmington
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
45177
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

Is a Wilmington College Degree Worth It?

Wilmington College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.

The average household income among admitted students is $60,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.94%.

How much does a degree from Wilmington College Cost?

The sticker price is $41,751/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.

37.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.7% take federal loans at Wilmington College. File your FAFSA early and list Wilmington College as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a Wilmington College Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,491. That's about 19% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$41,751Annual Cost
37.3%Pell Grant
73.7%Federal Loan
$48,491Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Wilmington College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Faulkner University Montgomery, AL 1016 20
University of West Alabama Livingston, AL 1015 20
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
Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO 1014 20
Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO 1005 22
Trinity Baptist College Jacksonville, FL 1007 20
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA 994 19
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, GA 1001 18
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Wilmington College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
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
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR 1050 20
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR 1050 21
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Wilmington College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL 1090 21
University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 1119 23
Spring Hill College Mobile, AL 1090 22
Troy University Troy, AL 1086 22
Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL 1121 22

Degree Programs at Wilmington College

Bachelor Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilmington College Admissions

Median earnings for Wilmington College graduates sit around $48,491 a year.

Wilmington College costs roughly $41,751 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.

About 37.3% receive a Pell Grant at Wilmington College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

At 84.6%, Wilmington College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

Admitted students at Wilmington College average a 3.47 GPA.

Wilmington College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.17 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

Below 3.07, Wilmington College 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 Wilmington College — aim above 1042, ideally within the 860–1050 range admitted students typically fall in.

Wilmington College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/12/01 (Honors/competitive scholarship priority). 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.

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. .

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