Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
78.7% Acceptance Rate
Susquehanna University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.7%Acceptance Rate
3.67Avg GPA
1211Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$72,563Annual Cost
$61,723Grad Salary
23.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.7%
Avg GPA
3.67
Avg SAT
1211
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1290
ACT Middle 50%
22–31
Need-Based Aid
23.9% receive Pell
Susquehanna University is a private, selective liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania known for its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and global engagement. With a strong emphasis on critical inquiry and close student-faculty collaboration, the college fosters a transformative and supportive community. Its focus on preparing students for leadership in a variety of fields through a well-rounded and rigorous curriculum makes it a premier choice for those seeking a top-tier liberal arts education.
Susquehanna University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Susquehanna University is inclusive by design. 78.7% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 78.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.22
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Susquehanna University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Susquehanna University (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 95 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
Decision by: March 15
💡 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.
Susquahanna GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Susquahanna is 3.67. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.37 and 3.67? 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 3.87–4.07.Susquahanna 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
3.67 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.27 – 3.46
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.26
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay required, no application fee for first-year or transfer applicants; no letter of recommendation required for transfer applicants
- Global Opportunities (GO) program requires every student to study off campus before graduation
- Central Curriculum includes a required capstone course that cannot be transferred from another institution
- Test-optional; SAT and ACT are weighted equally with no preference between them
- 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 Susquahanna
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Susquehanna University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Susquehanna University (Susquahanna) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Susquahanna. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Susquahanna Without SAT or ACT?
Susquahanna considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Susquehanna University Average SAT Score: 1211
Admitted students at Susquehanna University average a 1211 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1211 — Slightly Competitive
A 1211 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1290 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Susquehanna University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1090? A retake is worth it at Susquahanna. 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 | 585 | 540 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 550 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1211 | 1090 | 1290 |
A score under 1090 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1290+ 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 1200
Can I get into Susquehanna University (Susquahanna) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in Susquahanna'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.
Susquehanna University (Susquahanna) ACT Requirements
Susquahanna'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 | 23 | 18 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 22 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 22 | 31 |
Can I get into Susquehanna University with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Susquahanna'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, Susquahanna 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 Susquahanna
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Susquahanna takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Start researching GO tracks early - it's mandatory, not optional
Every Susquehanna student must study off campus through the Global Opportunities program before graduating. Treat it as a required part of your four-year plan from the start, not a later decision.
Redirect saved essay time into GO planning
There's no application fee and no personal essay required. Use the time you'd otherwise spend on essays to research which GO track (short-term vs. semester) fits your intended major.
Don't assume heavy transfer credit shortens your capstone timeline
The Central Curriculum capstone cannot be satisfied by transfer credit, even with significant AP or dual-enrollment credit coming in. Plan your senior year around this in-residence requirement.
Submit whichever test score you performed strongest on
Susquehanna states no preference between SAT and ACT and weighs whichever you submit equally - send your stronger score rather than guessing which "counts more."
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the mandatory GO program like an optional study-abroad opportunity at other schools and deprioritize planning for it - but because every student must complete an off-campus experience to graduate, waiting too long to engage with GO advising can create scheduling conflicts with major requirements later.
Susquahanna Profile
Full Name
Susquehanna University (Susquahanna)
City
Selinsgrove
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
17870-1025
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Susquahanna Degree Worth It?
At $72,563/year against a $61,723 median graduate salary, Susquahanna 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 $72,700, and graduates see a 2.62% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Susquahanna Cost?
Listed tuition runs $72,563/year at Susquahanna. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Susquahanna, 23.9% receive a Pell Grant and 68.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Susquahanna on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Susquahanna Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Susquahanna graduates report a median income of $61,723, 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 Susquehanna University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| 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 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Susquehanna University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Susquehanna 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 |
| 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 |
Degree Programs at Susquahanna
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Susquahanna Admissions
Susquehanna University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $61,723/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Susquehanna University runs high, at roughly $72,563+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
23.9% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Susquehanna University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Susquehanna University's acceptance rate is 78.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Susquehanna University students is 3.67, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.37 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Susquehanna University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.27 or below makes admission tougher at Susquehanna University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Susquehanna University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1211, and within the 1090–1290 range, keeps you competitive.
Susquehanna University's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026. That's Susquehanna University'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.
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