Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Glenside, Pennsylvania
79.2% Acceptance Rate
Arcadia University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.2%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1210Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$61,240Annual Cost
$58,336Grad Salary
27.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.2%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1210
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1083–1310
ACT Middle 50%
26–30
Need-Based Aid
27.7% receive Pell
Arcadia University is a private, comprehensive institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and experiential learning. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages critical inquiry, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful and reliable choice for students seeking to achieve their academic and career potential.
Arcadia University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Arcadia University is inclusive by design. 79.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 79.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Arcadia University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Arcadia University (Early Action — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Early Decision I
November 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit Scholarship Priority: 2025/11/15) 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.
Beaver College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Beaver College is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.62–3.82.Beaver College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Ranked #1 in the US for study abroad; over 130 programs in 15 countries.
- General first-year admission requires no personal essay or recommendation letter and is test-optional.
- 3+2 DPT Preferred Admission is identified through the general application; students missing junior-year benchmarks are decelerated to a 4-year Biology degree rather than dismissed.
- PA program admission runs through CASPA, a separate national platform from Arcadia's own application.
- 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 Beaver College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Arcadia University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Arcadia University (Beaver College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Beaver College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Beaver College Without SAT or ACT?
Beaver College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Arcadia University Average SAT Score: 1210
Admitted students at Arcadia University average a 1210 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1210 — Slightly Competitive
A 1210 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Arcadia University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1083? A retake is worth it at Beaver College. 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 | 595 | 530 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 602 | 553 | 650 |
| SAT Composite | 1210 | 1083 | 1310 |
A score under 1083 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1310+ 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 1200
Can I get into Arcadia University (Beaver College) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Beaver College'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.
Arcadia University (Beaver College) ACT Requirements
Beaver College's admitted students average an ACT of 28.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 28 — Competitive
An average of 28 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT English | 30 | 24 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 26 | 30 |
Can I get into Arcadia University with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of Beaver College'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, Beaver College 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 Beaver College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Beaver College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Signal 3+DPT interest on the general application
Students don't apply separately to the accelerated 3+2 DPT program - qualified applicants are identified through the standard admissions process based on a profile of roughly 640 EBRW/650 math SAT (or 28+ ACT), top-10% class rank, and AP-level math/science grades. Mention pre-physical-therapy interest directly on the general application.
Explain the deceleration safeguard to anxious families
If a Preferred Admission 3+DPT student doesn't meet requirements by fall of junior year, they're shifted to the traditional four-year Biology degree, not dismissed. Frame this as a safety net, not a failure state.
Name a specific study-abroad program, not just interest in the concept
Arcadia is ranked #1 in the US for study abroad with 130+ programs in 15 countries. Naming a specific country or program signals real engagement with what makes Arcadia distinctive, versus generic "I want to study abroad" language.
Know the essay-free general admission clearly
Standard first-year admission requires no personal essay or letter of recommendation and is test-optional. Families anxious about a weak essay should know it simply isn't part of the file unless applying to a specific competitive health-science pathway.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume "test-optional and no essay" makes Arcadia a low-effort school across the board. The accelerated health-science pathways (3+DPT, PA, etc.) use a genuinely more rigorous internal review - don't conflate general admission ease with graduate-pathway admission ease.
Beaver College Profile
Full Name
Arcadia University (Beaver College)
City
Glenside
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19038-3295
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Beaver College Degree Worth It?
At $61,240/year against a $58,336 median graduate salary, Beaver College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $72,800, and graduates see a 3.22% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Beaver College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $61,240/year at Beaver College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Beaver College, 27.7% receive a Pell Grant and 65.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Beaver College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Beaver College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Beaver College graduates report a median income of $58,336, about 44% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Arcadia University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Arcadia University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Arcadia University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Beaver College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Beaver College Admissions
Arcadia University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,336/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Arcadia University runs high, at roughly $61,240+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
27.7% of Arcadia University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Arcadia University's acceptance rate is 79.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Arcadia University students is 3.42, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.12 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Arcadia University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.02 or below makes admission tougher at Arcadia University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Arcadia University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1210, and within the 1083–1310 range, keeps you competitive.
Arcadia University's deadline is November 15 (Early Action).
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit Scholarship Priority: 2025/11/15. That's Arcadia University's scholarship priority date.
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.
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