Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
75.8% Acceptance Rate
Seton Hill University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
75.8%Acceptance Rate
3.74Avg GPA
1186Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$54,634Annual Cost
$51,748Grad Salary
29.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
75.8%
Avg GPA
3.74
Avg SAT
1186
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1270
ACT Middle 50%
21–27
Need-Based Aid
29.5% receive Pell
Seton Hill University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the empowerment of students. By integrating technology with the liberal arts, the university prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world. Its supportive environment, focus on career development, and dedication to values-based education make it a premier choice for students seeking a transformative and well-rounded academic experience.
Seton Hill University Acceptance Rate
Seton Hill University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 75.8% 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 — 75.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.74 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.29
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Seton Hill University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Seton Hill 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
Seton Hill 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.
💡 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.
Seton Hill University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Seton Hill University is 3.74. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.44 and 3.74? 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 3.94–4.14.Seton Hill University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.74 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.34 – 3.53
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.33
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, PA; NCAA Division II, 20 varsity sports; became coeducational in 2002.
- Rolling admissions; acceptance rate estimates run roughly 76-80% depending on source and year; a 200+ word essay is recommended, not strictly required.
- Apple Distinguished School - all full-time freshmen receive a MacBook Air; NASAD-accredited Art & Design department.
- Starting with fall 2027 applicants, the Graphic and Interactive Design BFA will require a portfolio submission - a new requirement not previously in place.
- 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 Seton Hill University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Seton Hill University'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.
Seton Hill University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Seton Hill University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Seton Hill University Without SAT or ACT?
Seton Hill University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Seton Hill University Average SAT Score: 1186
The average SAT score of admitted students at Seton Hill University is 1186 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1186 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Seton Hill 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 1070, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Seton Hill 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 | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1186 | 1070 | 1270 |
Below 1070, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 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 1200
Can I get into Seton Hill University with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Seton Hill 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.
Seton Hill University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Seton Hill University is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 27 |
Can I get into Seton Hill University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Seton Hill 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 Seton Hill University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Seton Hill University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Seton Hill University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Submit the essay even though it's optional
Pick one of the specific prompts - who you are as a student now, or who you hope to become at Seton Hill - rather than a generic personal statement. It's the main written signal in an otherwise light-touch review.
Start a portfolio now for BFA design
If applying to Graphic and Interactive Design for fall 2027 or later, begin building a portfolio today. Seton Hill is adding a portfolio review requirement to this program starting that cycle - a new gate that didn't exist before.
Use Pre-Art Therapy as a named pipeline
This BA track feeds directly into Seton Hill's own MA in Art Therapy with Counseling, leading to dual ATR-BC and PA LPC credentials. Naming this 4+2 pathway in your application signals you understand the structure, not just the major.
Consider the video essay if writing isn't your strength
Seton Hill accepts a short video overview of your educational journey as a supplemental alternative - a real option to showcase personality and communication skills a text essay might not capture.
Expert Insight:
Because Seton Hill's rolling, largely test-optional process feels low-pressure, some applicants submit a bare-minimum file. But program-specific requirements - interviews for some majors, the incoming BFA portfolio, the WES evaluation for transfer/international credit - can trip up an otherwise complete application. Confirm what your specific intended major requires beyond the general checklist.
Seton Hill University Profile
Full Name
Seton Hill University
City
Greensburg
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15601
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Seton Hill University Degree Worth It?
Seton Hill University 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 $54,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.35%.
How much does a degree from Seton Hill University Cost?
The sticker price is $54,634/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
29.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 71.5% take federal loans at Seton Hill University. File your FAFSA early and list Seton Hill University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Seton Hill University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,748. That's about 27% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Seton Hill University. 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 Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Seton Hill University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Seton Hill University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Seton Hill University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Seton Hill University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Seton Hill University run about $51,748 a year.
At about $54,634 a year, Seton Hill University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 29.5% receive a Pell Grant at Seton Hill University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 75.8%, Seton Hill University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Seton Hill University average a 3.74 GPA.
Seton Hill University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.44 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.34, Seton Hill 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 Seton Hill University — aim above 1186, ideally within the 1070–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
Seton Hill University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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