Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Spartanburg, South Carolina
58.6% Acceptance Rate
Wofford College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.6%Acceptance Rate
3.7Avg GPA
1297Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$69,601Annual Cost
$68,964Grad Salary
15.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.6%
Avg GPA
3.7
Avg SAT
1297
Avg ACT
29
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%
1200–1350
ACT Middle 50%
27–31
Need-Based Aid
15.1% receive Pell
Wofford College, founded in 1854 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a top-ranked liberal arts college with strengths in biology, business, and government. Known for its January Interim travel-study program.
The 170-acre arboretum campus features the Richardson Physical Activities Building, the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts, and newly renovated science facilities. Wofford's 'The Space' initiative fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.
Wofford College Acceptance Rate
Wofford College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 58.6% each year.
What Wofford College 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 — 58.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.70 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.25
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Wofford College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Wofford College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 80 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 1
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Wofford College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Wofford College is 3.7. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.40 and 3.7? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.90–4.10.Wofford College 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
3.70 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.50 – 3.69
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.30 – 3.49
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.29
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Only the Common App essay is required - no additional Wofford-specific supplemental essay
- Interim, a required 3-week January term with faculty-led courses and travel/study options, is built into every student's degree requirements
- Test-optional for domestic applicants; maximum of 24 credit hours awarded for AP/IB/dual enrollment combined
- Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college; campus is a designated national arboretum
- 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 Wofford College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Wofford College'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.
Wofford College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Wofford College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Wofford College Without SAT or ACT?
Wofford College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Wofford College Average SAT Score: 1297
Admitted students at Wofford College average a 1297 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1297 — Slightly Competitive
A 1297 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Wofford College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1200? A retake is worth it at Wofford College. 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 | 630 | 590 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 610 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1297 | 1200 | 1350 |
A score under 1200 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1350+ 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 1300
Can I get into Wofford College with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Wofford College'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.
Wofford College ACT Requirements
Wofford College's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| ACT English | 30 | 26 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Can I get into Wofford College with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of Wofford College'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, Wofford College 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 Wofford College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Wofford College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Understand Interim is a required, credit-bearing degree component
This 3-week January term is built into graduation requirements, not an optional add-on - factor it into how you think about Wofford's calendar from day one.
Apply early for faculty-led Interim Travel/Study if a specific program interests you
Priority consideration has a set spring deadline, with rolling admission afterward only as space remains - don't wait if a specific program is your top choice.
Invest fully in the single Common App essay
Wofford requires no additional supplement - there's no secondary "why Wofford" essay to distribute your effort across.
Plan your first-year course load around the 24-credit-hour cap on prior credit
AP, IB, and dual enrollment combined max out at 24 hours - don't assume all your prior credit will count.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume "Interim" is a flexible, optional experience they can skip if they'd rather stay on a traditional two-semester schedule. It isn't - Interim is a required part of Wofford's degree structure, so students who dislike the idea of a mandatory January term should weigh this seriously before enrolling.
Wofford College Profile
Full Name
Wofford College
City
Spartanburg
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29303-3663
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Wofford College Degree Worth It?
At $69,601/year against a $68,964 median graduate salary, Wofford College 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 $61,100, and graduates see a 3.17% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Wofford College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $69,601/year at Wofford College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Wofford College, 15.1% receive a Pell Grant and 41.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Wofford College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Wofford College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Wofford College graduates report a median income of $68,964, about 70% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Wofford College. 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 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Wofford College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Wofford College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Wofford College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Wofford College Admissions
Wofford College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $68,964/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Wofford College runs high, at roughly $69,601+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
15.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Wofford College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Wofford College's acceptance rate is 58.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Wofford College students is 3.7, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.4 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Wofford College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.3 or below makes admission tougher at Wofford College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Wofford College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1297, and within the 1200–1350 range, keeps you competitive.
Wofford College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 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.
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