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 somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Converse University is 64%. This means that 64 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Converse University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at Converse University is 3.89. This indicates extreme selectivity in admissions.
To have strong chances, you must aim for straight A's in all courses.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 4.09-4.29 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.59 and 3.89, then you need a high SAT or ACT score to compensate.
Converse University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at Converse University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.89, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- 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.
- The Rigor Metric: At Converse University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Converse University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Converse 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.
Converse University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Converse University Without SAT or ACT?
Converse University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Converse University Average SAT Score: 1124
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Converse University is 1124 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1124 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1124 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1238 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Converse University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Converse University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
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 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1030 then you are below most of the admitted students at Converse University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1238 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Converse University with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Converse University are good but the admission staff at Converse University tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Converse University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Converse University is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Converse University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 24 on the ACT.
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?
A 26 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Converse University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Converse University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Converse University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Converse University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 26 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Converse University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Converse University is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
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?
Getting into Converse University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Converse University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Converse University is $57,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.29%.
How much does a degree from Converse University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Converse University is $35,669. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Converse University is much less than this.
40.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 65.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Converse University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Converse University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Converse University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Converse University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $40,867. An average Converse University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
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
Full list of all degree programs offered by Converse University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Converse University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $40,867 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $35,669 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
40.7% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Converse University is 64% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.89. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.59, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.59, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.49 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.89, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Converse University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1124 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1030–1238.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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