Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Memphis, Tennessee
49.7% Acceptance Rate
Rhodes College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
49.7%Acceptance Rate
3.99Avg GPA
1385Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$68,055Annual Cost
$66,651Grad Salary
15.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
49.7%
Avg GPA
3.99
Avg SAT
1385
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1290–1490
ACT Middle 50%
28–33
Need-Based Aid
15.1% receive Pell
Rhodes College Rhodes College, founded in 1848 in Memphis, Tennessee, is a prestigious private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The 100-acre campus features Collegiate Gothic architecture and offers comprehensive programs with particular strengths in biology, business, and international studies. Rhodes maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and is known for its strong undergraduate research opportunities. Campus landmarks include the Barret Library and the newly renovated Paul Barret Jr. Library. The college's athletic teams, the Lynx, compete in NCAA Division III.
Rhodes takes pride in its commitment to the liberal arts and its location in an urban setting. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, writing, and community engagement across disciplines. Campus life includes over 100 student organizations and extensive service-learning opportunities. Recent additions include the new BCLC Science Center and upgraded arts facilities. Rhodes' combination of academic excellence, beautiful campus, and Memphis location creates a distinctive liberal arts experience.
Rhodes College Acceptance Rate
Rhodes College admits roughly 49.7% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What Rhodes Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 49.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.99 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.79 – 3.98
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.54
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Rhodes College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Rhodes College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 88 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 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.
Rhodes GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Rhodes is 3.99. 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 3.69 and 3.99, 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 4.19–4.39.Rhodes GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor, including AP, IB, or Honors, to back it up.
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
3.99 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.79 – 3.98
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.59 – 3.78
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.58
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Does not consider standardized test scores at all (not merely optional - genuinely unconsidered).
- No application fee; December 1 priority deadline for merit scholarships; Regular Decision notification by March 15.
- 80% acceptance rate into health professional programs post-graduation, supported by dedicated Health Professions Advising.
- Early Admission Plan available for exceptional high schoolers wanting to enroll before completing secondary school.
- 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 Rhodes
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Rhodes 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.
Rhodes College (Rhodes) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Rhodes. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Rhodes Without SAT or ACT?
Rhodes considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Rhodes College Average SAT Score: 1385
Admitted students at Rhodes College average a 1385 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1385 — Competitive
A 1385 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1490 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Rhodes College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1290? A retake is worth it at Rhodes. 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 | 700 | 640 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 690 | 650 | 730 |
| SAT Composite | 1385 | 1290 | 1490 |
A score under 1290 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1490+ 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 1400
Can I get into Rhodes College (Rhodes) with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in Rhodes'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.
Rhodes College (Rhodes) ACT Requirements
Rhodes's admitted students average an ACT of 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
Rhodes's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 33 | 30 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 28 | 33 |
Can I get into Rhodes College with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of Rhodes'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, Rhodes 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 Rhodes
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at Rhodes means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Use Health Professions Advising from day one if pre-med/pre-health
Rhodes reports an 80% acceptance rate into health professional programs - well above national averages - driven by structured advising and clinical/research access at institutions like St. Jude. A pre-health applicant should reference this program specifically in their "why Rhodes" essay content, not just general pre-med interest.
Skip test scores confidently - Rhodes doesn't consider them at all
Unlike many test-optional schools that still weigh submitted scores, Rhodes explicitly states it does not consider standardized test scores in evaluation. A student can submit or withhold scores with zero admissions risk either way - direct energy toward the essay and transcript instead.
Apply by December 1 if merit scholarship money matters
December 1 is Rhodes's priority deadline specifically for merit-based scholarship consideration - a technically strong applicant who applies later in the cycle may still be admitted but miss meaningful scholarship dollars.
Reference the Buckman Center for Global Engagement if study abroad is a priority
Over 65% of Rhodes students study abroad, and the Buckman Center specifically helps students retain their financial aid package while abroad - a genuine practical detail worth citing for a student weighing study-abroad access against aid concerns at other schools.
Expert Insight:
Rhodes's zero application fee and no-test-score policy can read as low-effort application - but with an urban Memphis campus and only ~2,000 students, admissions reviewers are reading essays and transcripts closely; a generic application doesn't benefit from the accessible logistics.
Rhodes Profile
Full Name
Rhodes College (Rhodes)
City
Memphis
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38112-1690
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Rhodes Degree Worth It?
Whether Rhodes 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 $73,400, and graduates see a 2.86% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Rhodes Cost?
Listed tuition runs $68,055/year at Rhodes. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Rhodes, 15.1% receive a Pell Grant and 27.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Rhodes on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Rhodes Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Rhodes graduates report a median income of $66,651, about 64% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Rhodes College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Rhodes College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 1383 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Rhodes College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
Degree Programs at Rhodes
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhodes Admissions
Rhodes College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $66,651/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Rhodes College runs high, at roughly $68,055+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
15.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Rhodes College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Rhodes College's acceptance rate is 49.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Rhodes College students is 3.99, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.69 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Rhodes College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.59 or below makes admission tougher at Rhodes College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Rhodes College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1385, and within the 1290–1490 range, keeps you competitive.
Rhodes College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026. That's Rhodes College'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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