Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Irving, Texas
54.2% Acceptance Rate
University of Dallas — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
54.2%Acceptance Rate
3.9Avg GPA
1284Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$64,752Annual Cost
$58,285Grad Salary
26.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
54.2%
Avg GPA
3.9
Avg SAT
1284
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%
1170–1370
ACT Middle 50%
25–32
Need-Based Aid
26.4% receive Pell
University of Dallas, founded in 1956, is a Catholic liberal arts university famous for its rigorous Core Curriculum and Rome study abroad program. The university excels in classics, business, and theology.
The 744-acre campus features the Braniff Graduate School, the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library, and the Haggerty Art Village. Its intellectual tradition attracts students seeking a challenging, values-based education.
University of Dallas Acceptance Rate
At 54.2%, admission to University of Dallas is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What University of Dallas 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 — 54.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.90 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.70 – 3.89
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.45
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Dallas Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for University of Dallas (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 89 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
University of Dallas GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Dallas is 3.9. 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 3.60 and 3.9, 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 4.10–4.30.University of Dallas 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
3.90 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.70 – 3.89
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.50 – 3.69
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.49
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is roughly 54%; described by UD as a "broad evaluation" process.
- Supplemental essays run about 250 words each: why UD, community contribution, and what you expect to gain.
- Nearly all students complete a Rome Semester at UD's own Eugene Constantin campus outside Rome, typically sophomore year.
- Catholic liberal arts identity built entirely around the required Core Curriculum.
- 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 University of Dallas
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Dallas's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
University of Dallas Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Dallas. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Dallas Without SAT or ACT?
University of Dallas considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Dallas Average SAT Score: 1284
Admitted students at University of Dallas average a 1284 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1284 — Slightly Competitive
A 1284 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1370 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Dallas allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1170? A retake is worth it at University of Dallas. 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 | 615 | 570 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 600 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1284 | 1170 | 1370 |
A score under 1170 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1370+ 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 University of Dallas with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in University of Dallas'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.
University of Dallas ACT Requirements
University of Dallas'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 | 25 | 21 | 29 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 25 | 32 |
Can I get into University of Dallas with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of University of Dallas'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, University of Dallas 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 University of Dallas
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into University of Dallas isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Write toward the Core Curriculum, not around it
UD's identity is built on its great-books Core. Reference a specific text, thinker, or idea from your own reading in your "Why UD" essay rather than generic praise for small classes.
Address the Rome Semester directly
Most sophomores study at UD's own Rome campus as part of the Core. Naming genuine interest in that experience signals real fit, since it's central to how UD sees itself, not an add-on.
Tie your intended major to a vocation, not just an interest
UD's process explicitly weighs "vocational goals" alongside grades. Frame your essay around what you want to do with the major, not just why the subject interests you.
Lean on sustained extracurricular depth if your GPA is average
UD's own admissions messaging states strength in extracurriculars can offset an average GPA. One long-term commitment beats a long list of one-year activities.
Expert Insight:
Generic "I want small classes and a strong community" essays don't work here. Admissions can tell when an applicant hasn't engaged with the Core Curriculum or Rome Semester specifically, since both are UD's entire brand.
University of Dallas Profile
Full Name
University of Dallas
City
Irving
State
Texas
ZIP Code
75062-4736
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a University of Dallas Degree Worth It?
At $64,752/year against a $58,285 median graduate salary, University of Dallas 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 $75,900, and graduates see a 2.87% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Dallas Cost?
Listed tuition runs $64,752/year at University of Dallas. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At University of Dallas, 26.4% receive a Pell Grant and 46.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Dallas on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Dallas Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Dallas graduates report a median income of $58,285, about 44% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Dallas. 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 |
| 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 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Dallas. 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 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Dallas. 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 Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at University of Dallas
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Dallas Admissions
University of Dallas graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,285/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Dallas runs high, at roughly $64,752+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
26.4% of University of Dallas students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Dallas's acceptance rate is 54.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Dallas students is 3.9, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.6 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Dallas. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.5 or below makes admission tougher at University of Dallas, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Dallas weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1284, and within the 1170–1370 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Dallas's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's University of Dallas'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.