Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
67.9% Acceptance Rate
Lycoming College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
67.9%Acceptance Rate
3.57Avg GPA
1169Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$61,526Annual Cost
$56,210Grad Salary
40.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
67.9%
Avg GPA
3.57
Avg SAT
1169
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1273
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Need-Based Aid
40.1% receive Pell
Lycoming College is a private, liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania that emphasizes a well-rounded education, critical inquiry, and close student-faculty collaboration. Known for its strong tradition of academic excellence and commitment to helping students build their professional and personal potential, the college provides a supportive and engaged campus community. Its focus on preparing students for leadership and success in a variety of fields makes it a meaningful and high-value path for those seeking a traditional liberal arts education.
Lycoming College Acceptance Rate
Lycoming College is moderately selective. 67.9% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Lycoming College 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 — 67.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.12
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Lycoming College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Lycoming College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 96 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01) 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.
Lycoming College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Lycoming College is 3.57. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.27 and 3.57? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.77–3.97.Lycoming 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
3.57 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.17 – 3.36
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.16
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee; Early Decision deadline is Nov 15 (binding).
- Test-optional; about 29% of admitted students submit SAT (1070?1273), about 2% submit ACT (23?30).
- One of the 50 oldest private liberal arts colleges in the US (founded 1812); 11:1 student-faculty ratio.
- Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences is Lycoming's signature internship/research gateway, available starting freshman year.
- 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 Lycoming College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Lycoming College'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.
Lycoming College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Lycoming 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 Lycoming College Without SAT or ACT?
Lycoming College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Lycoming College Average SAT Score: 1169
Admitted students at Lycoming College average a 1169 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1169 — Less Competitive
A 1169 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1273 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Lycoming College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1070? A retake is worth it at Lycoming 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 | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 592 | 540 | 643 |
| SAT Composite | 1169 | 1070 | 1273 |
A score under 1070 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1273+ 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 1150
Can I get into Lycoming College with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Lycoming 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.
Lycoming College ACT Requirements
Lycoming College's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Lycoming College with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of Lycoming 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, Lycoming 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 Lycoming College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Lycoming College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply Early Decision if it's your top choice
ED is binding and due Nov 15 - at a school with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, signaling "you're my only choice" carries real weight in a small applicant pool.
Answer their actual prompt: "why join the Lycoming family"
Treat this as a genuine why-us essay - reference the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences or a specific major/minor combo, not generic liberal-arts language.
Design a custom cross-disciplinary combo before applying
Lycoming actively markets combining its 45 majors and 65 minors into personalized programs - naming a specific pairing in your application signals real fit.
Go test-optional without hesitation if scores are weak
Submit SAT code 2372 or ACT code 3622 only if your scores help you; otherwise skip and let GPA, rigor, and your one required rec letter carry the file.
Expert Insight:
Applicants often write a generic "well-rounded liberal arts" essay without engaging Lycoming's real differentiator - the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences - and blend into every other small-college application.
Lycoming College Profile
Full Name
Lycoming College
City
Williamsport
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
17701-5192
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Lycoming College Degree Worth It?
At $61,526/year against a $56,210 median graduate salary, Lycoming 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 $64,300, and graduates see a 2.9% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Lycoming College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $61,526/year at Lycoming College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Lycoming College, 40.1% receive a Pell Grant and 72.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Lycoming College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Lycoming College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Lycoming College graduates report a median income of $56,210, 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 Lycoming College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | 1119 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Lycoming College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | 1172 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Lycoming College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Lycoming College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Lycoming College Admissions
Lycoming College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,210/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Lycoming College runs high, at roughly $61,526+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
40.1% of Lycoming College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Lycoming College's acceptance rate is 67.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Lycoming College students is 3.57, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.27 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Lycoming College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.17 or below makes admission tougher at Lycoming College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Lycoming College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1169, and within the 1070–1273 range, keeps you competitive.
Lycoming College's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I).
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01. That's Lycoming College'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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