Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
91.7% Acceptance Rate
Waynesburg University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.7%Acceptance Rate
3.64Avg GPA
1114Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$42,526Annual Cost
$58,537Grad Salary
31%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.7%
Avg GPA
3.64
Avg SAT
1114
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1220
ACT Middle 50%
16–25
Need-Based Aid
31% receive Pell
Waynesburg University (PA) is a private, faith-based institution that emphasizes service learning and professional development. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record and their potential to integrate faith, learning, and service. Highlighting leadership in service or extracurriculars is recommended.
Waynesburg University Acceptance Rate
Waynesburg University (Waynesburg College) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 91.7% 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 — 91.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.64 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.19
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Waynesburg University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Waynesburg 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
Waynesburg 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.
💡 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.
Waynesburg College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Waynesburg College is 3.64. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.34 and 3.64? 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 3.84–4.04.Waynesburg College 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
3.64 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.44 – 3.63
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.24 – 3.43
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.23
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The Founders Scholarship provides full tuition and fees to a small group of first-year students (historically 3-5 annually) with a 3.5+ GPA (3.75+ without test scores) and 1200+ SAT/26+ ACT, requiring a separate application, four-year on-campus residency, and a committee interview.
- Waynesburg is one of only 21 Bonner Scholar schools nationally (one of two in Pennsylvania), awarding $3,000-4,500/year in exchange for roughly 140 hours of community service per semester and two 280-hour summer service commitments.
- All traditional undergraduate students are required to live on campus for their first three years, longer than the norm at comparable small colleges.
- The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies & Moral Leadership (opened 2006) supports the Stover Scholars program ($5,000/year plus conference/internship funding); Waynesburg was founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
- 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 Waynesburg College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Waynesburg 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.
Waynesburg University (Waynesburg College) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Waynesburg College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Waynesburg College Without SAT or ACT?
Waynesburg College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Waynesburg University Average SAT Score: 1114
The average SAT score of admitted students at Waynesburg University is 1114 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1114 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Waynesburg 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 1000, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Waynesburg College. 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 | 545 | 500 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 500 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1114 | 1000 | 1220 |
Below 1000, you're behind most admitted students; at 1220 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 1100
Can I get into Waynesburg University (Waynesburg College) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Waynesburg College'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.
Waynesburg University (Waynesburg College) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Waynesburg College is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 20 | 15 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 16 | 25 |
Can I get into Waynesburg University with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Waynesburg College'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 Waynesburg College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Waynesburg College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Waynesburg College is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Target the Founders Scholarship if you're a Pennsylvania resident with strong stats - it's full tuition
Waynesburg's Founders Scholarship covers full tuition and fees for a small group (historically 3-5 students annually) of high-achieving first-year students who intend to live on campus all four years, requiring a 3.5+ GPA (3.75+ if not submitting test scores) and a 1200+ SAT or 26+ ACT. This requires a separate application and committee interview beyond general admission - apply specifically and by the priority date rather than assuming strong stats alone triggers consideration.
Consider the Bonner Scholar Program - one of only 21 in the country - if service is a genuine priority, not just a resume line
Waynesburg is one of just 21 Bonner Scholar schools nationally (one of only two in Pennsylvania), awarding $3,000-4,500 annually in exchange for roughly 140 hours of community service per semester (about 8-10 hours/week) plus two summers of 280 hours each with a nonprofit organization. This four-year program has its own application and essay, so only pursue it if prepared for a substantial, sustained service commitment.
Know the three-year on-campus residency requirement before assuming a typical one-year commitment
Waynesburg requires all traditional undergraduate students to live on campus for their first three years - longer than the one- or two-year requirement common at many small colleges - which materially affects total cost of attendance and housing budget planning. A commuting-distance family should confirm whether any exception applies before assuming a typical first-year-only requirement.
Reference the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies & Moral Leadership if pursuing law, political science, or ethics
Waynesburg's Stover Center (opened 2006) supports the Stover Scholars program, offering $5,000/year plus conference and internship funding for students with demonstrated interest in society's ethical, legal, and economic debates. Name this specifically in an application rather than generic "political science" language.
Expert Insight:
Don't apply for the Bonner Scholarship assuming it's primarily a financial-aid mechanism - the 140 hours/semester and two 280-hour summer commitments are real, tracked requirements (not a one-time service project), and a student who can't sustain that level of ongoing service throughout all four years should consider Waynesburg's other merit scholarships instead, since falling short of Bonner's service requirements can jeopardize the award's renewal.
Waynesburg College Profile
Full Name
Waynesburg University (Waynesburg College)
City
Waynesburg
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
15370-1257
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Waynesburg College Degree Worth It?
Whether Waynesburg College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $53,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.36%.
How much does a degree from Waynesburg College Cost?
The sticker price is $42,526/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
31% of students receive a Pell Grant and 72.5% take federal loans at Waynesburg College. File your FAFSA early and list Waynesburg College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Waynesburg College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,537. That's about 44% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Waynesburg University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Waynesburg University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Waynesburg University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Waynesburg College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Waynesburg College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Waynesburg University run about $58,537 a year.
Waynesburg University costs roughly $42,526 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 31.0% receive a Pell Grant at Waynesburg University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 91.7%, Waynesburg University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Waynesburg University average a 3.64 GPA.
Waynesburg University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.34 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.24, Waynesburg 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 Waynesburg University — aim above 1114, ideally within the 1000–1220 range admitted students typically fall in.
Waynesburg 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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