Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Newberg, Oregon
96.4% Acceptance Rate
George Fox University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
96.4%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1170Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$55,456Annual Cost
$59,761Grad Salary
26.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
96.4%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1170
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1330
ACT Middle 50%
17–28
Need-Based Aid
26.8% receive Pell
George Fox University is a private, Christian liberal arts university in Oregon that emphasizes the integration of faith, intellectual inquiry, and professional preparation. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, potential for campus contribution, and alignment with the university's mission. The university seeks individuals who are looking for a high-quality education that integrates professional preparation with a solid liberal arts foundation.
Applicants should highlight their history of participation in school or church extracurriculars, as these reflect the university's mission-focused and service-oriented culture. Demonstrating a clear approach to one's future career plans and explaining how a values-centered education will facilitate those goals is a strong way to impress the admissions committee. The university looks for students who will contribute to its supportive, community-oriented campus environment and who have a track record of being responsible and engaged members of their high school or local community.
George Fox University Acceptance Rate
George Fox University (GFU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 96.4% 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 — 96.4% 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).
George Fox University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for George Fox University is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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.
GFU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at GFU 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.GFU 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
- No essay, test scores, or references required for first-year admission (below-3.0 GPA is the one exception, where an academic reference is recommended).
- Nov. 1 and Feb. 1 are scholarship-eligibility checkpoints, not admission deadlines - admission itself is rolling.
- Automatic merit aid ranges $12,000-$23,000/year based on GPA, with an additional $1,000/year "Visit Experience" scholarship simply for visiting campus and meeting with an admissions counselor.
- U.S. News ranks George Fox #1 Christian University for Social Mobility in the Pacific Northwest - a citable data point for financial-aid-sensitive families explicitly weighing Christian universities.
- 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 GFU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on George Fox 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.
George Fox University (GFU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if GFU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into GFU Without SAT or ACT?
GFU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
George Fox University Average SAT Score: 1170
The average SAT score of admitted students at George Fox University is 1170 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1170 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? George Fox 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 1070, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at GFU. 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 | 595 | 530 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 540 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1170 | 1070 | 1330 |
Below 1070, you're behind most admitted students; at 1330 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 1150
Can I get into George Fox University (GFU) with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of GFU'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.
George Fox University (GFU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at GFU is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 23 | 17 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 17 | 28 |
Can I get into George Fox University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of GFU'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 GFU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for GFU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into GFU is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Skip the Essay Entirely Unless Your GPA Is Below 3.0 - Then Use It Strategically
George Fox requires no essay, no test scores, and no references for first-year admission - but if a student's cumulative GPA sits below 3.0, the school specifically recommends submitting an academic reference (not an essay) to strengthen the file. This is a narrow, GPA-triggered lever most applicants won't need and most competing advice won't mention because it only applies below the 3.0 threshold - for students in that band, get a reference from a teacher who can speak to an upward grade trend or a specific academic strength, not a general character reference.
Hit the Nov. 1 and Feb. 1 Scholarship Checkpoints Even Though Admission Itself Is Rolling
Because George Fox has no binding early deadline for admission, families often miss that Nov. 1 unlocks the first tier of merit scholarship eligibility and Feb. 1 unlocks a secondary tier - applications completed after Feb. 1 are still reviewed but only on a rolling, no-longer-scholarship-optimized basis. Counsel students to treat these as hard financial deadlines even though "apply anytime" framing on the site suggests otherwise; the admission decision and the financial aid ceiling are functionally decoupled here.
Attend the Annual Scholarship Summit for a Second, Stackable $3,000 Program-Specific Award
Beyond automatic GPA-based merit aid ($12,000-$23,000/year), George Fox runs an annual Scholarship Summit where admitted students can compete for an additional $3,000 award tied specifically to their declared area of study - this is a distinct, applied-for opportunity layered on top of automatic aid, not duplicative of it. Students should be advised to explicitly ask their admissions counselor about Scholarship Summit eligibility and timing, since it isn't folded into the standard financial aid offer letter automatically.
Address the Statement of Faith and Lifestyle Agreement Head-On in Any Direct Contact With Admissions - Don't Let It Surface Late
George Fox is explicitly Christ-centered - all faculty are Christians, 15 credit hours of coursework are dedicated to liberal arts and Christian life, and students are asked to abide by a community lifestyle agreement, even though being a professing Christian is not itself an admission requirement. Students and families who are not evangelical Christian but are considering George Fox for program fit (e.g., a specific nursing or business track) should raise questions about the lifestyle agreement and chapel/spiritual life expectations directly and early with their counselor rather than discovering the scope of the commitment after enrollment - this avoids a poor-fit withdrawal later and signals to advisors that the family is doing real due diligence, not just chasing merit aid.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume "no essay, no test scores, no references required" means George Fox is a low-effort safety application - but the average admitted first-year GPA is 3.8 (2025-26), meaning the school is quietly GPA-selective even without the traditional application-heavy trappings; a weak transcript won't be offset by the absence of other requirements the way it might be at a holistic-review school.
GFU Profile
Full Name
George Fox University (GFU)
City
Newberg
State
Oregon
ZIP Code
97132
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a GFU Degree Worth It?
GFU 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 $65,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.81%.
How much does a degree from GFU Cost?
The sticker price is $55,456/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
26.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 58.2% take federal loans at GFU. File your FAFSA early and list GFU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a GFU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,761. That's about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than George Fox 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 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| 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 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as George Fox 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 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than George Fox University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at GFU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About GFU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at George Fox University run about $59,761 a year.
At about $55,456 a year, George Fox University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 26.8% receive a Pell Grant at George Fox University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 96.4%, George Fox University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at George Fox University average a 3.7 GPA.
George Fox 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, George Fox 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 George Fox University — aim above 1170, ideally within the 1070–1330 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for George Fox University is November 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 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.