Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
74.2% Acceptance Rate
Holy Family University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.2%Acceptance Rate
3.13Avg GPA
1030Avg SAT
$38,965Annual Cost
$62,235Grad Salary
39.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.2%
Avg GPA
3.13
Avg SAT
1030
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
950–1130
Need-Based Aid
39.7% receive Pell
Holy Family University is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, values-based education, and service. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university provides a supportive campus community 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 prepare for leadership.
Holy Family University Acceptance Rate
Holy Family University is moderately selective — 74.2% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Holy Family Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 74.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.13 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.93 – 3.12
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.68
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Holy Family University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Holy Family University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Holy Family 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority)) 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.
Holy Family GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Holy Family is 3.13. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.83–3.13 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 3.33–3.53.Holy Family 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
3.13 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.93 – 3.12
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.73 – 2.92
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.72
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Students missing the second-language high school requirement can still be admitted and are placed into an introductory language course
- Adult applicants (21+) are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores, regardless of general policy for younger applicants
- Specific high school course prerequisites apply for Mathematics, Nursing, Radiologic Science, and Science majors
- Founded 1954 by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth; satellite campus in Newtown, Bucks County, alongside the main Philadelphia campus
- 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 Holy Family
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Holy Family 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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Holy Family University (Holy Family) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Holy Family is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Holy Family Without SAT or ACT?
Holy Family considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Holy Family University Average SAT Score: 1030
The average SAT score of admitted students at Holy Family University is 1030 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1030 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1130 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Holy Family 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 950, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Holy Family. 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 | 518 | 470 | 565 |
| SAT Reading | 523 | 480 | 565 |
| SAT Composite | 1030 | 950 | 1130 |
Below 950, you're behind most admitted students; at 1130 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 1050
Can I get into Holy Family University (Holy Family) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Holy Family'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 Holy Family
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Holy Family takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Don't assume a missing second language disqualifies you
Holy Family explicitly admits students without the second-language requirement met, placing them into an introductory language course instead.
Adults 21+: skip worrying about SAT/ACT submission
The university explicitly waives standardized testing for adult applicants, regardless of the general test-optional policy for younger applicants.
Confirm specific high school prerequisites if pursuing Mathematics, Nursing, Radiologic Science, or Science
These are named, program-specific expectations distinct from Holy Family's general admission requirements.
Ask about the Newtown, Bucks County satellite campus if it's more convenient
This is a real, secondary location worth asking about directly rather than assuming Philadelphia is your only option.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume that missing a specific high school course (like a second language) is an automatic barrier to admission here. Holy Family explicitly builds in an exception pathway (introductory coursework after enrollment) - don't self-select out of applying over a single missing prerequisite without confirming with admissions first.
Holy Family Profile
Full Name
Holy Family University (Holy Family)
City
Philadelphia
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19114-2009
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Holy Family Degree Worth It?
Whether Holy Family 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 $61,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.62%.
How much does a degree from Holy Family Cost?
The sticker price is $38,965/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
39.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.8% take federal loans at Holy Family — file your FAFSA early and list Holy Family as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Holy Family Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $62,235 — about 53% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Holy Family University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Holy Family University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 1037 | 20 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hilo, HI | 1025 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Holy Family University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Holy Family
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Family Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Holy Family University run about $62,235 a year.
Holy Family University costs roughly $38,965 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 39.7% receive a Pell Grant at Holy Family University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 74.2%, Holy Family University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Holy Family University average a 3.13 GPA.
Holy Family University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.83 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.73, Holy Family 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 Holy Family University — aim above 1030, ideally within the 950–1130 range admitted students typically fall in.
Holy Family University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/12/01 (competitive scholarship priority). 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.
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