Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Spartanburg, South Carolina
64% Acceptance Rate
Converse University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
64%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1124Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$35,669Annual Cost
$40,867Grad Salary
40.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
64%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1124
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1238
ACT Middle 50%
21–26
Need-Based Aid
40.7% receive Pell
Converse University, founded in 1889 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a women's liberal arts college (co-ed graduate programs) known for music, education, and the sciences. It ranks for inclusivity and arts.
The campus features a piano lab, science center, and historic auditorium. Its leadership programs and small classes empower students to excel.
Converse University Acceptance Rate
Converse University is moderately selective. 64% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Converse 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 — 64% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Converse University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Converse University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of March 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 202 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Converse 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.
Priority
March 1
💡 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.
Converse University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Converse University is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.09–4.29.Converse University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
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
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate 64?68% (IPEDS: 67.74% per most recent cycle; CollegeSimply: 64%); no application fee; test-optional; no personal essay required; no letters of recommendation required; rolling admissions; Common App accepted; 4-1-4 calendar with January Term (18-20 instructional days for internship, study-travel, intensive study, or regular coursework).
- Became coeducational undergraduate Fall 2020; renamed Converse University July 2021 (formerly Converse College, founded 1889); continues "Converse College for Women" programming track within coed structure; only NCAA Division II athletic program in Upstate South Carolina, Conference Carolinas; 18 varsity teams including acrobatics & tumbling and IHSA equestrian.
- 9:1 student-faculty ratio; 90%+ students receive financial aid averaging $19,500; Clemson University dual degree engineering partnership; over half of students double major; self-designed (individualized) major option available; ranked #8 tie Best Value Schools and #33 tie Best Regional Universities South (US News 2026).
- Petrie School of Music is a charter NASM member; Music Therapy AMTA-accredited; Interior Design CIDA-accredited; Teacher Education CAEP-accredited; Deaf/Hard of Hearing teacher program CEC-accredited; graduate programs include MFA (Creative Writing), Master of Music, MMFT, MAT, MEd, MLA, MiM, EdD, EdS; ~882 undergrads, ~865 grad students; Spartanburg, SC.
- 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 Converse University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Converse University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Converse University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Converse University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Converse University Without SAT or ACT?
Converse University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Converse University Average SAT Score: 1124
Admitted students at Converse University average a 1124 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1124 — Less Competitive
A 1124 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1238 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Converse University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1030? A retake is worth it at Converse University. 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 | 554 | 510 | 598 |
| SAT Reading | 580 | 520 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1124 | 1030 | 1238 |
A score under 1030 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1238+ 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 1100
Can I get into Converse University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Converse University'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.
Converse University ACT Requirements
Converse University's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 17 | 27 |
| ACT English | 23 | 21 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 21 | 26 |
Can I get into Converse University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Converse University'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, Converse University 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 Converse University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Converse University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand the Transition from Women's College to Coed - and What "Converse College for Women" Still Means
Converse became coeducational at the undergraduate level in Fall 2020 and officially changed its name from Converse College to Converse University in July 2021. Male students now enroll in all undergraduate programs alongside female students. However, the institution continues to operate a "Converse College for Women" programming track that reaffirms the founder's commitment to women's education within a coed residential context - a dual identity that is genuinely unusual among historically women's colleges. The practical effect: Converse retains the culture, traditions (Big Sis/Little Sis Week, May Day, strong alumnae network), and close-community ethos of a women's college while offering men access to all programs. Students - regardless of gender - should understand they are enrolling in an institution whose history, culture, and graduate network are shaped by over 130 years of women's education in Spartanburg.
The January Term Is a Structured Academic Opportunity - Not Just a Winter Break Filler
Converse operates on a 4-1-4 calendar with a January Term of 18-20 instructional days between the fall and spring semesters. This term is designed for internships, study-travel, intensive single-subject courses, or regular curriculum coursework. Students who use January Term to complete an intensive internship or study-travel abroad experience arrive at spring semester with professional or international experience that peers at semester-only schools don't have. With over half of Converse students choosing to double major, January Term also provides scheduling breathing room to complete requirements that would crowd a standard two-semester calendar. Build your January Term plans from the first semester - internship placements and study-travel programs fill on a first-come basis.
The Clemson Dual Degree Engineering Partnership Is the Most Concrete STEM Pathway at Converse
Students who want to earn an engineering degree while maintaining Converse's small-campus, 9:1 faculty ratio experience can pursue a dual degree through a formal partnership with Clemson University. The structure allows students to complete three years of coursework at Converse, then transfer to Clemson to complete the engineering degree, ultimately earning degrees from both institutions. For students choosing between Converse and a large public university for an engineering-adjacent path, this partnership is a meaningful structural advantage - access to Clemson engineering credentials without spending four years on a 20,000-student campus. Reach out to the Converse academic advising office before applying to confirm current program availability and eligibility requirements, as dual degree arrangements can modify over time.
Music, Arts, and Education Students: Converse's Program Accreditations Are Nationally Significant
Converse's Petrie School of Music is a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Music Therapy program carries accreditation from the American Music Therapy Association. Interior Design is CIDA-accredited. Education programs are CAEP-accredited and state-approved. The program for teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing holds Council for Exceptional Children accreditation. These are not marketing claims - they are accreditations from the discipline's highest credentialing bodies, and they matter for graduate school applications, licensing, and employer recognition. Converse's arts and education infrastructure is genuinely stronger than its overall institutional profile suggests to students who have only seen the acceptance rate and size.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure pattern at Converse involves students who enrolled during or after the 2020 coeducation transition expecting a culture that now closely resembles a standard small private university, and are unprepared for how deeply the women's college identity still shapes daily campus life. The Big Sis/Little Sis programs, May Day, the alumnae network's active role in student mentorship, and the institutional culture that centers women's empowerment are genuine features of the current campus experience - not historical relics. Male students who arrive without researching this cultural context are consistently among the most disoriented in their first semester. The acceptance rate spread across sources (64?68% per different IPEDS cycle snapshots) and the very low yield rate (approximately 12% of admitted students enroll) together suggest that most accepted students choose Converse as a backup rather than a deliberate first choice - a pattern that creates persistent culture-fit friction.
Converse University Profile
Full Name
Converse University
City
Spartanburg
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29302-0006
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Converse University Degree Worth It?
Whether Converse University 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,100, and graduates see a 3.29% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Converse University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $35,669/year at Converse University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Converse University, 40.7% receive a Pell Grant and 65.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Converse University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Converse University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Converse University graduates report a median income of $40,867, about 1% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Converse 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 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Converse 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 Converse University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Converse University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Converse University Admissions
Converse University graduates earn a lower median salary of $40,867/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Converse University is moderate, around $35,669/year; many students supplement with aid.
40.7% of Converse University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Converse University's acceptance rate is 64%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Converse University students is 3.89, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.59 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Converse University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.49 or below makes admission tougher at Converse University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Converse University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1124, and within the 1030–1238 range, keeps you competitive.
Converse University's deadline is March 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Converse 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.
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