Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Brownwood, Texas
67.7% Acceptance Rate
Howard Payne University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
67.7%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
1019Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$44,579Annual Cost
$48,376Grad Salary
42.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
67.7%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
1019
Avg ACT
22
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%
880–1100
ACT Middle 50%
18–25
Need-Based Aid
42.2% receive Pell
Howard Payne University, established in 1889 in Brownwood, Texas, is a Baptist-affiliated institution known for its Christian studies, music, and criminal justice programs.
The historic 80-acre campus features the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom museum, the Paul and Jane Meyer Christian Studies Center, and modern science facilities. The university's close-knit community fosters spiritual and academic growth.
Howard Payne University Acceptance Rate
Howard Payne University is moderately selective. 67.7% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Howard Payne University 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 — 67.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Howard Payne University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Howard Payne 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
Howard Payne University 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 (Priority: 2026/02/01) 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.
Howard Payne University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Howard Payne University is 3.3. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.00–3.3 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.50–3.70.Howard Payne University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Baptist-affiliated, Brownwood TX; founded 1889; SACSCOC accredited; Hispanic-Serving Institution designation; ~833 total enrollment; 10:1 student-faculty ratio; free application
- 67-68% acceptance rate; test-optional; block rate tuition $15,965/semester (2025-26, flat rate for 12+ credit hours); 91% of undergrads receive aid, average $18,603; rolling admissions
- Six semesters of chapel required to graduate (Wednesdays); Guy D. Newman Honors Academy (founded 1962, multidisciplinary + travel, 400+ graduates); 13 sports in American Southwest Conference; new 2025-26 programs include bachelor's in worship ministry and accelerated bachelor's/MBA (4.5 years)
- Notable alumni: Robert E. Howard (creator of Conan the Barbarian); extended learning centers in El Paso and New Braunfels; four graduate programs (MBA, sport and wellness leadership, theology and ministry, youth and family ministry); median earnings 6 years after graduation approximately $38,212
- 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 Howard Payne University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Howard Payne University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Howard Payne University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Howard Payne University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Howard Payne University Without SAT or ACT?
Howard Payne University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Howard Payne University Average SAT Score: 1019
Admitted students at Howard Payne University average a 1019 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1019 — Accessible
A 1019 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1100 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Howard Payne University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 880? A retake is worth it at Howard Payne University. 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 | 480 | 430 | 530 |
| SAT Reading | 510 | 450 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1019 | 880 | 1100 |
A score under 880 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1100+ 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 1000
Can I get into Howard Payne University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Howard Payne University'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.
Howard Payne University ACT Requirements
Howard Payne University's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 25 |
Can I get into Howard Payne University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Howard Payne University'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, Howard Payne University 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 Howard Payne University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Howard Payne University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply Free and Understand the Block Rate Structure Before You Budget
HPU has no application fee - apply directly at hputx.edu. The tuition model is a block rate of $15,965 per semester for the 2025-26 academic year, which covers 12 or more credit hours at the same flat cost. For a full-time student taking 15 or 18 hours, that structure rewards loading up your schedule rather than taking minimum credits - you effectively pay the same whether you take 12 or 18 hours. Pair this with HPU's test-optional policy (scores considered but not required) and the fact that 91% of enrolled undergraduates receive grants or scholarships averaging $18,603, and the net price can be substantially below sticker. Financial aid advocates at HPU are specifically noted for working individually with families - call (325) 649-8015 to understand your actual cost before deciding.
Apply Separately to the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy If Academics Are Your Edge
The Honors Academy, founded in 1962, is HPU's most academically distinctive program - a multidisciplinary curriculum with travel opportunities embedded in the degree, designed explicitly for students who want rigorous Christian intellectual formation alongside their major. Over 400 alumni have graduated from the program since its founding and now serve across law, medicine, ministry, government, and business. The Academy is a program you major in alongside another discipline, not a replacement for your departmental major. If this sounds like your profile, engage with it early - ask admissions directly about the Honors Academy application timeline, eligibility criteria, and scholarship implications when you visit or call.
Know the Chapel Requirement Before You Enroll
HPU requires all undergraduate students to complete six semesters of Chapel as a graduation requirement - not a cultural option. Chapel is held on Wednesdays during fall and spring semesters and counts as a credit toward graduation; students who do not accumulate the required semester credits cannot graduate. For students who are enthusiastic about weekly corporate worship and Baptist spiritual formation, this is a feature of the HPU identity. For students who are broadly Christian but have never attended an institution with mandatory chapel, talk to current students before you commit - it is a more significant structural commitment than a typical campus ministry or optional service attendance.
Leverage HPU's Hispanic-Serving Institution Status and Extended Learning Reach
HPU holds an HSI designation, which opens access to federal Title V grants and programming specifically aimed at supporting Hispanic students and first-generation learners - a meaningful structural resource at an institution this size. The university also operates extended learning centers in El Paso and New Braunfels in addition to fully online offerings, making HPU unusually accessible for a private Baptist university of roughly 800 students. New for 2025-26: an accelerated bachelor's/MBA program completable in four-and-a-half years, and a bachelor's in worship ministry, reflecting HPU's intentional expansion of its Christian studies and professional ministry pipeline. If any of those tracks align with your goals, flag them explicitly in your application and contact the relevant school dean directly.
Expert Insight:
HPU's graduation rate is a conversation you need to have with the institution directly before enrolling. Sources range from 25% (US News, four-year rate) to 35% (BigFuture, six-year rate), with Scholarships360 citing 31% - all significantly below the national median regardless of which figure you use. For a school this small with strong stated investment in individual student success, a graduation rate this low suggests retention and completion challenges that deserve direct inquiry: ask the admissions office what the current six-year rate is, what the primary reasons students leave, and what advising and financial supports are in place to help students who run into trouble after freshman year.
Howard Payne University Profile
Full Name
Howard Payne University
City
Brownwood
State
Texas
ZIP Code
76801-2794
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Howard Payne University Degree Worth It?
At $44,579/year against a $48,376 median graduate salary, Howard Payne University 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 $55,900, and graduates see a 3.47% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Howard Payne University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $44,579/year at Howard Payne University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Howard Payne University, 42.2% receive a Pell Grant and 66.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Howard Payne University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Howard Payne University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Howard Payne University graduates report a median income of $48,376, about 19% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Howard Payne University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Howard Payne University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Howard Payne University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Howard Payne University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Howard Payne University Admissions
Howard Payne University graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,376/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Howard Payne University is moderate, around $44,579/year; many students supplement with aid.
42.2% of Howard Payne University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Howard Payne University's acceptance rate is 67.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Howard Payne University students is 3.3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Howard Payne University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.9 or below makes admission tougher at Howard Payne University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Howard Payne University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1019, and within the 880–1100 range, keeps you competitive.
Howard Payne 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 Priority: 2026/02/01. That's Howard Payne 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.