Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Memphis, Tennessee
88.4% Acceptance Rate
Christian Brothers University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.4%Acceptance Rate
3.67Avg GPA
1069Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$45,919Annual Cost
$57,478Grad Salary
30.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.4%
Avg GPA
3.67
Avg SAT
1069
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1040–1300
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Need-Based Aid
30.6% receive Pell
Christian Brothers University is a private, Catholic, Lasallian institution in Memphis that emphasizes academic rigor, service, and professional mentorship. Admissions are holistic, evaluating academic potential against a student's capacity for service and community engagement. The university seeks students who are looking for a supportive environment where faculty mentorship and experiential learning are central to the academic experience.
Applicants should highlight any history of volunteering or active community participation, as the university's mission is deeply rooted in service. Demonstrating a balance between academic achievement and ethical leadership is key. A strong application includes evidence of self-motivation and a clear desire to contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven campus community.
Christian Brothers University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Christian Brothers University is inclusive by design. 88.4% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.22
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Christian Brothers University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Christian Brothers University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CBU 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.
💡 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.
CBU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CBU is 3.67. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.37 and 3.67? 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 3.87–4.07.CBU 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
3.67 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.27 – 3.46
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.26
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- CBU was on SACSCOC "Probation for Good Cause" for financial responsibility from December 2023 to December 2025; it was fully removed from probation on December 9, 2025 and remained accredited and Title IV-eligible the entire time
- No application fee for undergraduates; SAT/ACT is test-optional for admission but required to qualify for any merit scholarship tier
- The Trustee Scholarship (top merit award) requires a 3.6+ GPA, 26+ ACT/1760+ SAT, an essay, and in-person attendance at Trustee Scholarship Interview Day
- The engineering-specific merit scholarship requires a minimum ACT Math subscore of 23, separate from and in addition to the composite score requirement
- 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 CBU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Christian Brothers 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.
Christian Brothers University (CBU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CBU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CBU Without SAT or ACT?
CBU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Christian Brothers University Average SAT Score: 1069
Admitted students at Christian Brothers University average a 1069 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1069 — Accessible
A 1069 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1300 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Christian Brothers University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1040? A retake is worth it at CBU. 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 | 580 | 500 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1069 | 1040 | 1300 |
A score under 1040 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 1050
Can I get into Christian Brothers University (CBU) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in CBU'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.
Christian Brothers University (CBU) ACT Requirements
CBU's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Christian Brothers University with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of CBU'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, CBU 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 CBU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
CBU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Treat Trustee Scholarship Interview Day as a real audition
CBU's top merit award (Trustee Scholarship) requires a 3.6+ GPA and a 26+ ACT (or 1760+ SAT), but clearing those numbers only earns you an invitation - you still have to submit an essay and attend an in-person Trustee Scholarship Interview Day to actually win it. Prepare for this like a real interview tied to CBU's Lasallian mission (teaching as ministry, service, community), not a formality, since candidates who show up unprepared lose the scholarship to those who treat the day as the deciding round it actually is.
Chase the ACT Math subscore, not just the composite, for engineering
CBU's engineering-specific merit scholarship requires a minimum ACT composite of 23 with a minimum ACT Math subscore of 23 - a separate, easy-to-miss threshold. A student with a strong overall composite but a weaker Math subscore can be quietly disqualified from this specific award. If you're set on engineering, check your Math subscore specifically and consider a retake focused on that section if it's lagging behind your composite.
Verify your specific major is stable before enrolling
During its 2023 financial restructuring, CBU eliminated several majors including English, history, ecology, and engineering physics, and has announced further faculty reductions targeting a 12:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Before committing, ask your admissions counselor directly whether your intended major is on stable footing or under future review - this matters more for smaller liberal-arts and humanities programs than for CBU's flagship engineering and business tracks, which have been explicitly protected through the restructuring.
Submit test scores even though they're optional
CBU doesn't require SAT/ACT for admission, but every merit scholarship tier - including the Trustee and engineering-specific awards - requires them. Students who skip testing because "it's optional" are opting out of scholarship money, not just a soft admissions factor. If your scores are reasonably competitive, submit them regardless of whether you'd bother at a strictly test-optional peer school.
Expert Insight:
A common and understandable worry is families reading about CBU's 2023-2025 SACSCOC probation and financial exigency and assuming the university is unstable or its degrees are at risk - in fact CBU was fully removed from probation on December 9, 2025 and remained accredited and federally recognized for financial aid throughout. The real thing to watch isn't accreditation; it's whether your specific intended major sits in a program area CBU has been actively downsizing.
CBU Profile
Full Name
Christian Brothers University (CBU)
City
Memphis
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38104
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a CBU Degree Worth It?
At $45,919/year against a $57,478 median graduate salary, CBU 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 $61,200, and graduates see a 3.82% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CBU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $45,919/year at CBU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At CBU, 30.6% receive a Pell Grant and 31.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CBU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CBU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CBU graduates report a median income of $57,478, about 42% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Christian Brothers University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Christian Brothers University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Christian Brothers University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| 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 |
Degree Programs at CBU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CBU Admissions
Christian Brothers University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $57,478/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Christian Brothers University is moderate, around $45,919/year; many students supplement with aid.
30.6% of Christian Brothers University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Christian Brothers University's acceptance rate is 88.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Christian Brothers University students is 3.67, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.37 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Christian Brothers University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.27 or below makes admission tougher at Christian Brothers University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Christian Brothers University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1069, and within the 1040–1300 range, keeps you competitive.
Christian Brothers University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Christian Brothers 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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