Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Smithfield, Rhode Island
65.7% Acceptance Rate
Bryant University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
65.7%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
1263Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$67,926Annual Cost
$90,008Grad Salary
10.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
65.7%
Avg GPA
3.43
Avg SAT
1263
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1160–1340
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
10.8% receive Pell
Bryant University, founded in 1863 in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is a private university renowned for its business and liberal arts programs. Ranked #7 in Regional Universities North by U.S. News, Bryant's 428-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including the Academic Innovation Center and the newly expanded Bryant Center for Business Excellence. The university's signature 'Bryant IDEA' program combines Innovation, Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Analytics across all majors. Bryant maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and boasts a 99% career placement rate within six months of graduation.
Bryant's location between Boston and Providence provides students with access to Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions for internships. The university is home to the highly ranked Amica Center for Career Education and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge-winning student team. Bryant Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I athletics, while campus life includes 100+ student organizations and the popular Archway Weekend tradition. The university's Global Supply Chain Management program is particularly distinguished, with graduates recruited by major corporations nationwide.
Bryant University Acceptance Rate
At 65.7%, admission to Bryant University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What Bryant University 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 — 65.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.98
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Bryant University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Bryant University is November 1 for Early Decision (binding) applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Decision (binding)
Early Decision (binding)
November 1
Early Action (non-binding)
November 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Bryant University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Bryant University is 3.43. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.13–3.43 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.63–3.83.Bryant University 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
3.43 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.03 – 3.22
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.02
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional policy in place for nearly 15 years; the choice to submit or withhold scores is irrevocable once submitted.
- College of Business ranked #15 nationally for academic experience in the 2026 Poets&Quants undergraduate business survey.
- Interviews are optional but recommended as a chance to advocate for yourself directly with admissions.
- 81% six-year graduation rate, notably above the national median; recognized as a top regional school for veterans in 2025.
- 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 Bryant University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Bryant 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.
Bryant University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Bryant University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Bryant University Without SAT or ACT?
Bryant University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Bryant University Average SAT Score: 1263
The average SAT score of admitted students at Bryant University is 1263 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1263 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Bryant 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 1160, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Bryant 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 | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 625 | 580 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1263 | 1160 | 1340 |
Below 1160, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 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 1250
Can I get into Bryant University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Bryant 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.
Bryant University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Bryant University is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into Bryant University with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Bryant 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 Bryant University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Bryant University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Bryant University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Decide test-optional status deliberately - it's irrevocable
You cannot switch back to submitting scores once you've chosen test-optional. Decide before you submit, not as an afterthought.
Connect your essay to the College of Business specifically
It ranked #15 nationally for academic experience in the 2026 Poets&Quants survey. Naming specific faculty or project-based coursework by name signals genuine research into the program.
Schedule the optional interview
It's explicitly framed as a chance to advocate for yourself one-on-one - valuable at a mid-size school like Bryant where admissions staff have bandwidth for individual conversations.
Lean test-optional if scores are borderline
If below roughly 1160 SAT/28 ACT (the reported 25th percentile), let transcript rigor and your essay carry the file - Bryant explicitly increases emphasis on curriculum rigor for test-optional applicants.
Expert Insight:
Some applicants treat the test-optional choice casually, assuming they can decide later. Bryant states explicitly that once you've chosen to apply with or without scores, you cannot change that decision after submission.
Bryant University Profile
Full Name
Bryant University
City
Smithfield
State
Rhode Island
ZIP Code
02917-1291
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Bryant University Degree Worth It?
At $67,926/year against a $90,008 median graduate salary, Bryant University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $80,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.68%.
How much does a degree from Bryant University Cost?
The sticker price is $67,926/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
10.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 50.6% take federal loans at Bryant University. File your FAFSA early and list Bryant University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Bryant University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $90,008. That's about 122% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Bryant University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | 1213 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | 1223 | 26 |
| Oglethorpe University | Atlanta, GA | 1230 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Bryant University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Bryant University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Bryant University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Bryant University Admissions
Bryant University graduates typically earn around $90,008 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $67,926 a year, Bryant University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Bryant University's Pell Grant rate of 10.8% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 65.7%, Bryant University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Bryant University average a 3.43 GPA.
Bryant University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.13 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.03, Bryant 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 Bryant University — aim above 1263, ideally within the 1160–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Bryant University is November 1 for Early Decision (binding) applicants.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
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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