Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
92.9% Acceptance Rate
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.9%Acceptance Rate
3.24Avg GPA
1078Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$24,369Annual Cost
$56,148Grad Salary
39.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.9%
Avg GPA
3.24
Avg SAT
1078
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
970–1170
ACT Middle 50%
20–25
Avg Net Price
$15,089
Need-Based Aid
39.9% receive Pell
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA) is a public regional university focusing on professional and liberal arts degrees. Admissions prioritize GPA and curriculum rigor. They value students who demonstrate initiative in extracurricular activities and who are ready for a collaborative, student-focused academic setting.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg University) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 92.9% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.24 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.04 – 3.23
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.79
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 178 days left — Priority Freshman
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
East Stroudsburg University 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.
Priority Freshman
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 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.
East Stroudsburg University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at East Stroudsburg University is 3.24. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.94–3.24 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 3.44–3.64.East Stroudsburg 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
3.24 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.04 – 3.23
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.84 – 3.03
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.83
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Rolling admissions with an "Apply in July" instant-decision event for rising seniors, offered at both the main campus and the ESU Lehigh Valley Center, free of charge
- Athletic Training program has been nationally accredited continuously since 1975; professional-phase admission is competitive (SAT 1000+, top-third class rank typical profile) after a roughly three-semester pre-professional period
- Remained an independent PASSHE institution through the system's 2022 consolidation of six other universities into two new merged institutions (PennWest and Commonwealth University)
- Stony Acres, a 119-acre off-campus recreation area with a lodge, cabins, and a lake, is owned and operated by the Student Activity Association
- GRE/GMAT/MAT requirements for graduate admission apply only to Athletic Training, Biology, Public Health, and Communication Sciences and Disorders - not universally across all graduate programs
- 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 East Stroudsburg University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania'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.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if East Stroudsburg University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into East Stroudsburg University Without SAT or ACT?
East Stroudsburg University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Average SAT Score: 1078
The average SAT score of admitted students at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is 1078 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1078 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 970, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at East Stroudsburg University. 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 | 535 | 490 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 535 | 480 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1078 | 970 | 1170 |
Below 970, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 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 1100
Can I get into East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg University) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of East Stroudsburg University'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.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg University) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at East Stroudsburg University 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 | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of East Stroudsburg University'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 East Stroudsburg University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for East Stroudsburg University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
East Stroudsburg University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Use "Apply in July" for rising seniors who want a fast, low-pressure decision
ESU's "Apply in July" event lets rising high school seniors planning for the following fall apply for free and receive an instant admissions decision on the spot, either at the main campus or the ESU Lehigh Valley Center, after meeting with admissions counselors and touring programs. Students should bring their most recent high school transcript and treat this as a genuine opportunity to lock in an admissions decision well before senior year application season gets busy, rather than assuming instant-decision events are informal or non-binding in some way.
Athletic training applicants should understand this is one of the longest-running programs of its kind nationally
ESU's Athletic Training program has been nationally approved or accredited continuously since 1975, giving it a genuinely deep institutional track record in a field many universities only added in the past decade or two. Admission into the professional phase (after roughly three pre-professional semesters) is competitive: a typical successful candidate profile includes SAT scores of 1000+, a class rank in the top third, and demonstrated interest in sports medicine - transfer applicants need a 2.5+ GPA and must interview with the program director. Students should treat the pre-professional phase as a genuine screening gate, not a formality, and plan prerequisite coursework accordingly from their first semester.
Clarify that ESU stayed independent through Pennsylvania's 2022 university mergers
When PASSHE consolidated six of its universities into two new institutions in 2022 (Pennsylvania Western University from California, Clarion, and Edinboro; Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania from Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg University was not part of either merger and remains a standalone PASSHE institution with its own identity, mascot, and degree programs. Families researching PASSHE schools broadly should understand this distinction clearly, since some search results and older comparison articles about "Pennsylvania state universities merging" can create confusion about which specific schools were affected - ESU's own program offerings and admissions process were not altered by this restructuring.
Point outdoor-recreation-minded students to Stony Acres
Stony Acres, owned by ESU's Student Activity Association, is a 119-acre off-campus recreation area near Marshalls Creek featuring a lodge, several cabins, a campsite, and a lake - a genuine, student-owned outdoor facility distinct from the main campus recreation center. Students drawn to ESU's Pocono Mountains location specifically for outdoor recreation should ask about Stony Acres directly, since it represents real, accessible facilities beyond generic "near the Poconos" marketing language.
Expert Insight:
GRE (or GMAT/MAT alternatives) requirements at ESU apply only to specific graduate programs - Athletic Training, Biology, Public Health, and Communication Sciences and Disorders - not universally across all graduate degrees. Prospective graduate applicants to other ESU programs should not assume they need to submit standardized test scores just because peer programs at other universities commonly require them; conversely, applicants to these four specific fields should not assume ESU's broadly accessible undergraduate admissions reputation extends to graduate-level testing requirements in these programs.
East Stroudsburg University Profile
Full Name
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (East Stroudsburg University)
City
East Stroudsburg
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18301-2999
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a East Stroudsburg University Degree Worth It?
At $24,369/year against a $56,148 median graduate salary, East Stroudsburg University 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 $69,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.2%.
How much does a degree from East Stroudsburg University Cost?
The sticker price is $24,369/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,089.
39.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.7% take federal loans at East Stroudsburg University. File your FAFSA early and list East Stroudsburg University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a East Stroudsburg University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,148. That's about 38% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| 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 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at East Stroudsburg University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About East Stroudsburg University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania run about $56,148 a year.
At about $24,369 a year, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is on the more affordable end.
About 39.9% receive a Pell Grant at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 92.9%, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania average a 3.24 GPA.
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.94 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.84, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 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 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania — aim above 1078, ideally within the 970–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 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.
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