Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
90.1% Acceptance Rate
Clarks Summit University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.1%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
$41,062Annual Cost
$38,818Grad Salary
48.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.1%
Avg GPA
3.31
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Need-Based Aid
48.5% receive Pell
Clarks Summit University, formerly Baptist Bible College, is a conservative Christian institution offering ministry training and liberal arts education. The university prepares students for church leadership and various professional careers.
The 125-acre campus near Scranton, Pennsylvania includes the Jackson Hall Bible building, the Phelps Student Center, and outdoor recreation facilities. CSU emphasizes practical ministry experience through local church partnerships and global mission opportunities.
Clarks Summit University Acceptance Rate
Clarks Summit University (Summit University) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 90.1% 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 — 90.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Summit University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Summit University is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 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 3.51–3.71.Summit University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- CSU ceased instruction August 9, 2024, and lost Middle States accreditation September 13, 2024, in what MSCHE classified as an unplanned/disorderly closure.
- Approved teach-out agreements exist with Cairn University, Davis College, and Liberty University; a separate transfer agreement exists with Lancaster Bible College.
- Transcripts and historical records are held by Cairn University (200 Manor Avenue, Langhorne, PA).
- Substantial "admissions strategy" content for Clarks Summit still circulates online and is entirely stale - disregard it for any current-cycle counseling.
- 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 Summit University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Clarks Summit University'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Clarks Summit University (Summit University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Summit University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Summit University Without SAT or ACT?
Summit University 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Summit University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Summit University is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
This institution is closed - do not build an admission strategy around it
Clarks Summit University (including Baptist Bible Seminary) ceased instruction on August 9, 2024, and its accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education ended September 13, 2024, following what MSCHE classified as an unplanned, disorderly closure. There is no current-cycle application, essay prompt, or acceptance rate to research or counsel toward here.
Redirect any interested student to the approved teach-out and transfer partners
MSCHE approved teach-out agreements with Cairn University, Davis College, and Liberty University, plus a separate transfer agreement with Lancaster Bible College. These institutions accept CSU credits (with some conditions) and, in some cases, offer a simplified admissions process or waived application fees for former CSU students - that's the real, current pathway for anyone still asking about Clarks Summit.
Send transcript and records requests to Cairn University specifically
Per MSCHE's official closure notice, historical academic records and transcripts for former Clarks Summit students are held at Cairn University, 200 Manor Avenue, Langhorne, PA - not at any Clarks Summit address, which should be treated as inactive for this purpose.
Treat all "how to get into Clarks Summit" content online as entirely outdated
A meaningful amount of admissions content - essay-writing tips referencing "your faith journey," GPA benchmarks, pastoral recommendation requirements, acceptance-rate figures - is still indexed online and was written before the 2024 closure. None of it describes anything a student can currently act on.
Expert Insight:
The specific failure pattern here is a family finding pre-2024 admissions content (essay advice, GPA targets, application deadlines) and preparing an application to a school that can no longer enroll anyone. This needs to be caught and corrected immediately, not discovered after time is invested in essay drafts for a defunct application.
Summit University Profile
Full Name
Clarks Summit University (Summit University)
City
Clarks Summit
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18411-1250
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a Summit University Degree Worth It?
Whether Summit 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $62,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.95%.
How much does a degree from Summit University Cost?
The sticker price is $41,062/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
48.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 38.6% take federal loans at Summit University. File your FAFSA early and list Summit University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Summit University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $38,818. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Summit University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Summit University Admissions
Median earnings for Clarks Summit University graduates sit around $38,818 a year.
Clarks Summit University costs roughly $41,062 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 48.5% receive a Pell Grant at Clarks Summit University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 90.1%, Clarks Summit University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Clarks Summit University average a 3.31 GPA.
Clarks Summit University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, Clarks Summit University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
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.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Pennsylvania Colleges
Average SAT Score of Pennsylvania Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Pennsylvania
Bachelor Programs in Pennsylvania
Test Optional Colleges in Pennsylvania
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Pennsylvania