Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Nashville, Tennessee
96.4% Acceptance Rate
Belmont University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
96.4%Acceptance Rate
3.83Avg GPA
1277Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$60,480Annual Cost
$55,930Grad Salary
18.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
96.4%
Avg GPA
3.83
Avg SAT
1277
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1160–1350
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Need-Based Aid
18.5% receive Pell
Belmont University is a private, Christian-affiliated comprehensive university in Nashville known for its music, arts, and strong professional degree programs. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic achievement and the successful completion of a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum. The university looks for intellectually ambitious students who are ready to contribute to its vibrant, creative campus community and take advantage of its extensive networking and professional resources.
Prospective students should highlight their consistency in academic work and their initiative in school or extracurricular organizations that showcase their creative or professional potential. As a hub for the creative industries in Nashville, the university values ambitious students who are ready to take advantage of its unique resources. Clearly expressing how one's professional goals align with the university's commitment to creative excellence and innovation is a great way to show institutional fit.
Belmont University Acceptance Rate
Belmont University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 96.4% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 96.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.83 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.63 – 3.82
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.38
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Belmont University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Belmont University is November 1 for Early Action I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 86 days left — Early Action I
Early Action I
November 1
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
Early Action II
December 1
Decision by: January 20
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Competitive scholarship priority)) 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.
Belmont University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Belmont University is 3.83. 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 3.53 and 3.83, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
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 4.03–4.23.Belmont 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.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.83 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.63 – 3.82
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.43 – 3.62
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.42
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Music Business BBA requires no audition/portfolio - included entirely in the general application; School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and select art programs require Acceptd prescreening plus audition.
- Early Action I (Nov. 1 deadline) is required for Top Scholarship eligibility; Early Action II (Dec. 1) qualifies only for Departmental Scholarships.
- Test-optional; Writing/Essay sections aren't considered and ACT Science is excluded from the composite; self-reported scores aren't accepted.
- HiSET applicants need minimum subscores of 15/20 and a 4/6 on the essay portion.
- 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 Belmont University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Belmont 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.
Belmont University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Belmont University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Belmont University Without SAT or ACT?
Belmont University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Belmont University Average SAT Score: 1277
The average SAT score of admitted students at Belmont University is 1277 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1277 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Belmont 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 Belmont 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 | 610 | 560 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 600 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1277 | 1160 | 1350 |
Below 1160, you're behind most admitted students; at 1350 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 1300
Can I get into Belmont University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Belmont 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.
Belmont University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Belmont University is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Belmont University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Belmont 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 Belmont University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Belmont University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Belmont University is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Know which application track your major actually requires
The Music Business BBA - one of Belmont's signature programs - requires no audition or secondary process at all; it's evaluated entirely through the general undergraduate application. School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and select Watkins College of Art programs, by contrast, require Acceptd prescreening followed by a live or video audition. Don't over-invest in performance materials for Music Business, and don't underestimate the audition timeline if you're applying to a performance major.
Apply Early Action I, not II, if scholarship maximization matters
Only Early Action I applicants (materials complete by Nov. 1, decisions by Nov. 20) are considered for Belmont's Top Scholarships in addition to Departmental Scholarships. Early Action II (Dec. 1 deadline) applicants are eligible only for Departmental Scholarships - Top Scholarship consideration is closed to them entirely. A one-month delay in completing your file is a real scholarship-tier loss, not just a later decision date.
If you're auditioning, treat the prescreening priority date as your real deadline
For School of Music applicants, passing Acceptd prescreening determines whether you're invited to audition, and applicants who submit for priority prescreening dates are considered for the first, largest round of scholarships. Submit early and never edit, mix, or remaster your audio/video files - any detected alteration results in automatic denial of the prescreen submission.
If submitting scores, know what Belmont actually counts
Belmont does not consider the Writing/Essay section of either the SAT or ACT, and in alignment with current ACT reporting, no longer factors the Science section into the ACT composite. Self-reported scores aren't accepted - only official reports from the testing agency or an official transcript count. Don't bank your test strategy on a strong Science subscore boosting your composite here; it won't.
Expert Insight:
The most damaging mistake at Belmont is assuming all majors carry the Music Row mystique and require an audition or portfolio - non-arts majors like Music Business BBA are evaluated on a standard academic file. The inverse mistake is equally costly: performance-track applicants who delay their Acceptd prescreening submission past the priority date lose access to the first and largest scholarship round, even if later admitted.
Belmont University Profile
Full Name
Belmont University
City
Nashville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37212-3757
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Belmont University Degree Worth It?
Whether Belmont 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.76%.
How much does a degree from Belmont University Cost?
The sticker price is $60,480/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
18.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.8% take federal loans at Belmont University. File your FAFSA early and list Belmont University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Belmont University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,930. That's about 38% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Belmont 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 Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Belmont University. 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 |
| 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 |
| Mercer University | Macon, GA | 1280 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Belmont 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 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Belmont University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Belmont University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Belmont University run about $55,930 a year.
At about $60,480 a year, Belmont University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Belmont University's Pell Grant rate of 18.5% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 96.4%, Belmont University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Belmont University average a 3.83 GPA.
Belmont University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.53 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.43, Belmont 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 Belmont University — aim above 1277, ideally within the 1160–1350 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Belmont University is November 1 for Early Action I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/12/01 (Competitive scholarship priority). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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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