Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
McMinnville, Oregon
87.9% Acceptance Rate
Linfield University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.9%Acceptance Rate
3.71Avg GPA
1130Avg SAT
$63,825Annual Cost
$78,638Grad Salary
28.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.9%
Avg GPA
3.71
Avg SAT
1130
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1160
Need-Based Aid
28.3% receive Pell
Linfield University is a private, liberal arts institution in Oregon known for its commitment to experiential learning, international programs, and close student-faculty collaboration. Admissions are selective, prioritizing evidence of academic engagement and personal initiative. The university seeks students who are ready to explore diverse perspectives, participate in research, and contribute to an intellectually active and community-engaged campus culture.
Linfield University Acceptance Rate
Linfield University (Linfield College) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 87.9% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.26
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Linfield University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Linfield University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 98 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Early Action
November 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01) 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.
Linfield College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Linfield College is 3.71. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.41 and 3.71? 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 3.91–4.11.Linfield 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
3.71 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.31 – 3.50
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.30
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- First-year nursing students complete prerequisites at McMinnville for two years, then need a cumulative 3.00 GPA and C or better in all prerequisites to migrate to the Portland nursing campus; transfer candidates with completed prerequisites apply directly to Portland.
- Test-optional for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; all other applicants should plan to submit SAT/ACT scores.
- Linfield pays study abroad airfare for every student's first trip abroad.
- No on-campus ROTC, but students can participate in Air Force ROTC through a cooperative agreement with the University of Portland, requiring a 60-90 minute commute each way.
- 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 Linfield College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Linfield 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.
Linfield University (Linfield College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Linfield College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Linfield College Without SAT or ACT?
Linfield College neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Linfield University Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of admitted students at Linfield University is 1130 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1130 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1160 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Linfield 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 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Linfield 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 1090 | 1160 |
Below 1090, you're behind most admitted students; at 1160 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 Linfield University (Linfield College) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Linfield 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Linfield College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Linfield College isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Understand the Real GPA Gate Before Assuming Automatic Portland Transition
First-year students complete nursing prerequisites during their first two years at McMinnville, and only those who finish all prerequisites with a C or better and maintain a cumulative 3.00 Linfield GPA migrate to the Portland (Good Samaritan) campus for the final two years. Treat this as a real internal gate, not an automatic progression, and plan prerequisite coursework accordingly from day one.
Apply Directly to Portland as a Nursing Transfer Student
Transfer candidates who've already completed all prerequisite coursework elsewhere apply directly to the Portland campus rather than starting at McMinnville. Confirm which application track applies specifically, since using the wrong (McMinnville first-year) application could create unnecessary delays.
Use the Fully-Funded First Study-Abroad Flight
Linfield pays for study abroad airfare for every student's first trip abroad - a genuine financial perk uncommon even among peer liberal arts colleges. Factor this into overall cost-of-attendance calculations and plan to use it for the first study abroad trip to maximize the benefit.
Confirm the ROTC Commuting Commitment Before Assuming On-Campus Access
Linfield has no on-campus ROTC, but has a cooperative agreement allowing Air Force ROTC through the University of Portland, requiring roughly 10 hours weekly and a 60-90 minute drive each way. Confirm this logistical commitment fits the schedule before assuming ROTC access works like an on-campus unit.
Expert Insight:
Because Linfield's nursing pipeline requires a genuine 3.00 GPA threshold and C-or-better prerequisite grades to progress from McMinnville to the Portland nursing campus, don't assume acceptance to Linfield as a first-year student guarantees eventual entry into the professional nursing phase - treat the first two years as a real academic gate, not a formality.
Linfield College Profile
Full Name
Linfield University (Linfield College)
City
McMinnville
State
Oregon
ZIP Code
97128-6894
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Linfield College Degree Worth It?
At $63,825/year against a $78,638 median graduate salary, Linfield 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 $64,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.87%.
How much does a degree from Linfield College Cost?
The sticker price is $63,825/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
28.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 80.7% take federal loans at Linfield College — file your FAFSA early and list Linfield College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Linfield College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $78,638 — about 94% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Linfield University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Linfield University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 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 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Linfield University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Linfield College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Linfield College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Linfield University run about $78,638 a year.
At about $63,825 a year, Linfield University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 28.3% receive a Pell Grant at Linfield University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 87.9%, Linfield University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Linfield University average a 3.71 GPA.
Linfield University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.41 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.31, Linfield 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 Linfield University — aim above 1130, ideally within the 1090–1160 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Linfield University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholarship Priority: 2025/12/01. 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.