Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
60.5% Acceptance Rate
Moore College of Art and Design — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60.5%Acceptance Rate
3.24Avg GPA
1303Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$68,583Annual Cost
$37,839Grad Salary
40.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60.5%
Avg GPA
3.24
Avg SAT
1303
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1233–1411
ACT Middle 50%
25–31
Need-Based Aid
40.9% receive Pell
Moore College of Art and Design Moore College of Art and Design, founded in 1848 in Philadelphia, is the nation's first and only women's visual arts college. The urban campus offers bachelor's and graduate programs in fine arts, design, and art education with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. Moore is particularly renowned for its programs in illustration, graphic design, and fashion design. Campus features include the Galleries at Moore and the newly renovated Wilson Hall studios.
Moore takes pride in its commitment to educating women in the visual arts and its location in Philadelphia's cultural district. Students benefit from internship opportunities with museums, design firms, and cultural organizations. The college's annual Senior Show connects students with potential employers. Recent initiatives include expanded programs in animation and interactive design. Moore's combination of artistic excellence, women-centered education, and urban location makes it a distinctive institution in arts education.
Moore College of Art and Design Acceptance Rate
Moore College of Art and Design is moderately selective. 60.5% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Moore 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 — 60.5% 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).
Moore College of Art and Design Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Moore College of Art and Design follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Moore College 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.
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 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.
Moore College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Moore College 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.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.44–3.64.Moore College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.24 – 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
- Portfolio requirement can be replaced with a supplemental essay specifically for first-year applicants to Interior Design or Film & Digital Cinema
- Visionary Honors Program (3.7+ weighted GPA + portfolio) offers up to $25,000/year, $100,000 over four years; nominated students submit an essay for final consideration
- 100% of BFA students receive some scholarship funding and 100% participate in a paid internship
- Moore is actively reviewing (as of early 2026) whether to open undergraduate admission to all genders - confirm current policy directly with admissions
- 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 Moore College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Moore College of Art and Design'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.
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Moore 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 Moore College Without SAT or ACT?
Moore College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Moore College of Art and Design Average SAT Score: 1303
Admitted students at Moore College of Art and Design average a 1303 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1303 — Competitive
A 1303 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1411 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Moore College of Art and Design allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1233? A retake is worth it at Moore 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 | 676 | 628 | 723 |
| SAT Reading | 647 | 605 | 688 |
| SAT Composite | 1303 | 1233 | 1411 |
A score under 1233 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1411+ 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 1300
Can I get into Moore College of Art and Design (Moore College) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in Moore 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.
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore College) ACT Requirements
Moore 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 | 26 | 23 | 29 |
| ACT English | 29 | 24 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 31 |
Can I get into Moore College of Art and Design with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Moore 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, Moore 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 Moore College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Moore College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the Essay-Instead-of-Portfolio Option for Interior Design or Film & Digital Cinema
Moore now allows first-year applicants to submit a supplemental essay instead of a portfolio specifically for Interior Design or Film & Digital Cinema. A student who feels they can't compete on portfolio strength but has strong writing and conceptual thinking should ask admissions specifically about this option for these two majors, rather than assuming a portfolio is mandatory across every program at Moore.
Make GPA Clearly Documented for Automatic Visionary Honors Consideration
The Visionary Honors Program (worth up to $25,000/year, $100,000 over four years) nominates students automatically based on a 3.7+ weighted GPA plus a strong portfolio - nominated students then submit a supplemental essay for final consideration. A strong-GPA applicant should ensure their transcript and application clearly document weighted GPA, since nomination is triggered by meeting this threshold rather than through a separate scholarship application the student initiates.
Factor the Guaranteed Paid Internship Into Cost Comparisons
100% of Moore BFA students receive some scholarship funding, and Moore is the only higher-ed visual arts institution guaranteeing a paid internship for every undergraduate. A family comparing Moore against other art schools on sticker price alone should factor in this guaranteed paid-internship value specifically - it offsets both direct cost and the post-graduation employability concerns common with art degrees elsewhere.
Confirm the Current Gender-Eligibility Policy Directly for Your Application Cycle
Moore is actively reviewing (as of early 2026) whether to open undergraduate admission to all genders, partly prompted by the closures of the University of the Arts and PAFA creating a regional educational gap. This is a live, unresolved institutional decision - a prospective student should confirm the current, as-of-application-cycle eligibility policy directly with admissions rather than relying on a single webpage snapshot, since the policy could change before decisions are finalized.
Expert Insight:
Moore is in the middle of an active, unresolved review of its gender-eligibility admissions policy (a formal feedback and discussion process launched around February 2026). Any family for whom Moore's identity as a historically women's college is a deciding factor should confirm the current policy status directly with admissions for their specific application cycle, rather than assuming the historical policy will remain unchanged through decision day.
Moore College Profile
Full Name
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore College)
City
Philadelphia
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
19103-1179
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Moore College Degree Worth It?
At $68,583/year against a $37,839 median graduate salary, Moore 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 $70,700, and graduates see a 3.55% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Moore College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $68,583/year at Moore College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Moore College, 40.9% receive a Pell Grant and 84.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Moore College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Moore College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Moore College graduates report a median income of $37,839, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Moore College of Art and Design. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Moore College of Art and Design. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Moore College of Art and Design. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Moore College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Moore College Admissions
Moore College of Art and Design graduates earn a lower median salary of $37,839/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Moore College of Art and Design runs high, at roughly $68,583+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
40.9% of Moore College of Art and Design students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Moore College of Art and Design's acceptance rate is 60.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Moore College of Art and Design students is 3.24, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.94 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Moore College of Art and Design. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.84 or below makes admission tougher at Moore College of Art and Design, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Moore College of Art and Design weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1303, and within the 1233–1411 range, keeps you competitive.
Moore College of Art and Design's deadline is November 15 (Early Action). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026. That's Moore College of Art and Design'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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