Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
54% Acceptance Rate
Moravian University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
54%Acceptance Rate
3.55Avg GPA
1154Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$64,260Annual Cost
$61,860Grad Salary
26.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
54%
Avg GPA
3.55
Avg SAT
1154
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1060–1230
ACT Middle 50%
24–28
Need-Based Aid
26.8% receive Pell
Moravian University, founded in 1742 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the sixth-oldest college in the U.S. and ranked #142 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News. This private university offers programs in nursing, music, and archaeology, with historic landmarks like the Comenius Hall and modern facilities like the Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences. Moravian's Focus' curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and global awareness.
The university's location in the Lehigh Valley provides internships at Fortune 500 companies like Olympus and St. Luke's University Health Network. Moravian also offers NCAA Division III athletics and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Its alumni network includes Nobel laureates and leaders in medicine and the arts.
Moravian University Acceptance Rate
Moravian University is moderately selective. 54% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Moravian 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 — 54% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.55 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.35 – 3.54
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.10
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Moravian University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Moravian University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 96 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 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.
Moravian GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Moravian is 3.55. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.25 and 3.55? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.75–3.95.Moravian GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.55 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.35 – 3.54
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.15 – 3.34
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.14
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- 54% acceptance rate; test-optional (mid-50% SAT ~1070?1285, ACT 24?29)
- Early Action deadline Nov 15; regular decision rolling through March 15
- Essay not required but explicitly encouraged by admissions staff
- Art portfolio and nursing prerequisites are program-specific add-ons, not part of general admission
- 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 Moravian
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Moravian 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.
Moravian University (Moravian) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Moravian is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Moravian Without SAT or ACT?
Moravian considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Moravian University Average SAT Score: 1154
The average SAT score of admitted students at Moravian University is 1154 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1154 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Moravian 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 1060, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Moravian. 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 | 560 | 520 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 540 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1154 | 1060 | 1230 |
Below 1060, you're behind most admitted students; at 1230 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 1150
Can I get into Moravian University (Moravian) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Moravian'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.
Moravian University (Moravian) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Moravian is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 24 | 28 |
Can I get into Moravian University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Moravian'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 Moravian.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Moravian
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Moravian takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Write the "optional" essay anyway
Moravian's own site says the essay isn't required but admissions "loves reading them." At 54% acceptance, an essay is your best tool to stand out from students who skip it.
Art majors: send the portfolio even though it's optional
Art applicants aren't required to submit a portfolio, but it's the only piece of the file that shows actual studio skill. Skipping it means being judged on GPA alone in a program where craft matters.
Nursing applicants: front-load your prerequisites
Nursing has extra admission prerequisites beyond the general application. Get your prerequisite course list confirmed with admissions before you submit, not after.
Apply Early Action by Nov 15
Early Action carries a much higher admit rate than regular decision here. With rolling regular admission through March 15, EA is where merit scholarship dollars get decided first.
Expert Insight:
Because Moravian is test-optional and moderately selective, students who submit only grades and scores blend into the middle of the pool. The optional essay and portfolio are where borderline applicants actually get pulled up - skipping them is the single most common self-inflicted mistake here.
Moravian Profile
Full Name
Moravian University (Moravian)
City
Bethlehem
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
18018-6650
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Moravian Degree Worth It?
Moravian offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $76,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.73%.
How much does a degree from Moravian Cost?
The sticker price is $64,260/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
26.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.9% take federal loans at Moravian. File your FAFSA early and list Moravian as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Moravian Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $61,860. That's about 52% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Moravian University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 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 Moravian University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Moravian University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Moravian
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Moravian Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Moravian University run about $61,860 a year.
At about $64,260 a year, Moravian University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 26.8% receive a Pell Grant at Moravian University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 54%, Moravian University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Moravian University average a 3.55 GPA.
Moravian University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.25 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.15, Moravian 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 Moravian University — aim above 1154, ideally within the 1060–1230 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Moravian University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 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.
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