Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Bristol, Rhode Island
87.8% Acceptance Rate
Roger Williams University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
87.8%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
1228Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$60,180Annual Cost
$70,266Grad Salary
16.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
87.8%
Avg GPA
3.43
Avg SAT
1228
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1300
ACT Middle 50%
24–30
Need-Based Aid
16.3% receive Pell
Roger Williams University is a private, comprehensive institution in Rhode Island known for its commitment to active learning and community service. Admissions evaluate academic performance and potential for engagement. The university seeks students who are ready to connect classroom knowledge with community and professional applications, emphasizing a balance of rigorous inquiry and hands-on, high-impact experiential learning.
Roger Williams University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Roger Williams University is inclusive by design: 87.8% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 87.8% 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).
Roger Williams University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 1 for Roger Williams University.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 189 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
February 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
RWU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at RWU 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.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.63–3.83.RWU 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
3.43 – 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
- Fall 2026 admission accepted on a case-available basis (extended to March 1); Fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline is February 1; Early Action (non-binding) deadline November 15
- Standardized test scores optional; holistic review explicitly weighs academic performance in context, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and letters of recommendation
- Tuition guarantee locks each incoming class's rate for all four years of full-time study, a policy in place since 2012
- Two campuses: Bristol (waterfront) and Providence, RI; 45+ majors spanning arts and sciences, professional studies, architecture, and law
- 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 RWU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Roger Williams 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.
Roger Williams University (RWU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at RWU — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into RWU Without SAT or ACT?
RWU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Roger Williams University Average SAT Score: 1228
Admitted students at Roger Williams University average a 1228 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1228 — Slightly Competitive
A 1228 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1300 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Roger Williams University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1130? A retake is worth it at RWU — 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 | 595 | 550 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 620 | 580 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1228 | 1130 | 1300 |
A score under 1130 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1300+ 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 1250
Can I get into Roger Williams University (RWU) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in RWU'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.
Roger Williams University (RWU) ACT Requirements
RWU'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 | 26 | 22 | 30 |
| ACT English | 27 | 23 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 30 |
Can I get into Roger Williams University with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of RWU'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, 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, RWU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for RWU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
RWU is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Write the Diversity/Belonging essay around a specific, lived experience - RWU's own guidance shows exactly what "good" looks like
RWU's supplemental essay explicitly asks what has influenced your identity and how your life experiences will bring value to the RWU community, and RWU's admissions-adjacent guidance offers concrete examples (living with a physical disability and writing about fostering inclusivity through boundary-setting; having lived on three continents and wanting to teach peers slang and customs). Structure your essay around one specific, textured experience like these - not an abstract statement about valuing diversity - since RWU's own framing shows they're looking for narrative specificity, not values-signaling.
Submit your first trimester or semester senior-year grades specifically if applying under the Fall 2026 extended window
For the Fall 2026 cycle (extended to March 1), RWU explicitly states applicants should submit their first trimester or first semester marking-period grades for senior year to be considered for admission - a real, cycle-specific documentation requirement distinct from a general "send your transcript" instruction. Confirm with your school counselor that this specific senior-year grading period has been finalized and can be sent before you submit, since an incomplete or wrong marking period could stall your file's completeness status.
Understand RWU's tuition guarantee locks your rate for all four years - a real, dated institutional commitment since 2012
RWU has provided every incoming undergraduate class a tuition guarantee for the duration of their four-year full-time studies since 2012 - meaning your first-year tuition rate is what you pay through graduation, not a rate that increases annually like at most universities. This is a genuine, named financial-planning advantage worth factoring into a multi-year cost comparison against peer schools where tuition typically rises 3-5% annually; ask your admissions counselor to confirm current-year applicability when comparing offers.
Apply Early Action by November 15 even though it's non-binding - it signals genuine interest without limiting your options
RWU's Early Action deadline (November 15) is explicitly non-binding, meaning you get an earlier decision and remain fully free to compare other offers, unlike Early Decision elsewhere. Given RWU's holistic review process and the fact that Regular Decision doesn't open additional consideration you don't already have, applying EA costs you nothing in flexibility while giving you a longer runway to plan senior year and financial aid comparisons.
Expert Insight:
Because RWU markets holistic review and doesn't require standardized test scores, applicants sometimes treat the essay and supplemental materials as a lower priority than at test-heavy peer schools. That's a miscalculation: RWU's holistic process explicitly weighs "personal qualities and achievements" and letters of recommendation alongside academics, and a generic or rushed diversity/belonging essay stands out precisely because RWU's own published guidance shows they expect specific, textured personal narrative - not filler content submitted to check a box in an application system that otherwise feels low-friction.
RWU Profile
Full Name
Roger Williams University (RWU)
City
Bristol
State
Rhode Island
ZIP Code
02809-2921
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a RWU Degree Worth It?
At $60,180/year against a $70,266 median graduate salary, RWU 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 $84,100, and graduates see a 2.58% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from RWU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $60,180/year at RWU; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At RWU, 16.3% receive a Pell Grant and 58.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming RWU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a RWU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, RWU graduates report a median income of $70,266, about 73% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Roger Williams 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 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Roger Williams 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 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Roger Williams University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at RWU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About RWU Admissions
Roger Williams University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $70,266/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Roger Williams University runs high — roughly $60,180+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
16.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Roger Williams University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Roger Williams University's acceptance rate is 87.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Roger Williams University students is 3.43, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.13 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Roger Williams University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.03 or below makes admission tougher at Roger Williams University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Roger Williams University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1228, and within the 1130–1300 range, keeps you competitive.
Roger Williams University's deadline is February 1.
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 Rhode Island Colleges
Average SAT Score of Rhode Island Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Rhode Island
Bachelor Programs in Rhode Island
Test Optional Colleges in Rhode Island
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Rhode Island