Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
San Antonio, Texas
93.4% Acceptance Rate
University of the Incarnate Word — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
93.4%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1042Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$45,850Annual Cost
$56,733Grad Salary
42.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.4%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1042
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%
900–1140
ACT Middle 50%
17–24
Need-Based Aid
42.9% receive Pell
University of the Incarnate Word is a private, Catholic university in Texas that emphasizes a values-based education, global awareness, and service to the community. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic potential, personal character, and alignment with the university's mission. The university seeks individuals who are ready to engage in a supportive environment that prioritizes mentorship and the development of the whole person, both personally and professionally.
Successful applicants often demonstrate significant involvement in service-oriented activities, reflecting the university's commitment to social justice and ethical responsibility. A personal statement that discusses how the student's personal values align with the university' mission and how they intend to contribute to its diverse campus culture is strongly encouraged. The admissions team looks for students who are not only academically prepared for university-level study but who are also committed to becoming leaders who serve their communities with integrity and compassion.
University of the Incarnate Word Acceptance Rate
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 93.4% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 93.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of the Incarnate Word Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of the Incarnate Word is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 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.
UIW GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UIW is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.70–3.90.UIW GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General freshman admission is nearly open (~98% acceptance rate), test-optional, and does not require an application essay.
- Direct Admit pathways to six health professions (DO, Pharmacy, Optometry, PT, OT, Athletic Training) must be selected at the time of the freshman application.
- The DO Direct Admit track is explicitly not accelerated - minimum 3.5 years of undergraduate study is required before matriculating into UIWSOM.
- Pharmacy Direct Admit students who maintain program standards are guaranteed a professional-school interview plus an additional $5,000 scholarship in their first pharmacy year (P1).
- 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 UIW
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of the Incarnate Word'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.
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UIW is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UIW Without SAT or ACT?
UIW considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of the Incarnate Word Average SAT Score: 1042
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of the Incarnate Word is 1042 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1042 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1140 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of the Incarnate Word allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 900, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UIW. 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 | 495 | 430 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 525 | 470 | 580 |
| SAT Composite | 1042 | 900 | 1140 |
Below 900, you're behind most admitted students; at 1140 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 1050
Can I get into University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of UIW'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.
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UIW is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 24 |
Can I get into University of the Incarnate Word with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UIW's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several 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 (Science, especially, 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 UIW.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UIW
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
UIW provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Declare a Direct Admit health-professions track on your freshman application itself
UIW offers Direct Admit pathways straight out of high school into six professional programs - osteopathic medicine (DO), pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training. These are selected at the point of the initial freshman application; if you don't flag your interest then, you generally lose the streamlined path and have to compete through the standard, later-stage professional-school application process instead.
Start documented health-education service now if you want the DO Direct Admit
The Direct Admit pathway to UIW's School of Osteopathic Medicine explicitly requires completing community service "with a demonstrated focus on health education in the San Antonio community" throughout your undergraduate years, plus at least one check-in per semester with the Direct Admit advisor. Build a documented volunteering track record in health education before you even enroll, since Phase II retention reviews will look for continuity, not a late scramble.
If eyeing the 3+4 Optometry track, fix your math sequencing before you arrive
The accelerated Vision Science/Doctor of Optometry Direct Admit track requires students to be ready to begin Pre-Calculus in their very first undergraduate semester. If your high school math sequence leaves you short of that, take Pre-Calculus your senior year so you don't lose eligibility for the accelerated 7-year pathway on day one.
Redirect essay effort away from a generic personal statement
General UIW freshman admission doesn't require an application essay and doesn't weigh test scores - so a polished, generic "why I want to attend college" essay has little to work with here. Instead, put that effort into the Direct Admit program's own criteria (GPA thresholds, specific prerequisite science courses, letters tied to your target profession) since that's what's actually being evaluated for competitive programs like Pharmacy or DO.
Expert Insight:
Because UIW's general admission is nearly open (roughly 98% acceptance) with no required essay, students and counselors often treat the whole application as low-stakes and skip declaring interest in a Direct Admit health-professions track - but that declaration has to happen at the initial freshman application stage, and missing it can permanently forfeit access to the accelerated, guaranteed-interview pathway into programs like Pharmacy or Optometry.
UIW Profile
Full Name
University of the Incarnate Word (UIW)
City
San Antonio
State
Texas
ZIP Code
78209
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UIW Degree Worth It?
UIW offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $59,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.45%.
How much does a degree from UIW Cost?
The sticker price is $45,850/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
42.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 74.8% take federal loans at UIW — file your FAFSA early and list UIW as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UIW Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,733 — about 40% 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 the Incarnate Word. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of the Incarnate Word. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of the Incarnate Word. 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 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UIW
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UIW Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of the Incarnate Word run about $56,733 a year.
University of the Incarnate Word costs roughly $45,850 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 42.9% receive a Pell Grant at University of the Incarnate Word — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 93.4%, University of the Incarnate Word's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of the Incarnate Word average a 3.5 GPA.
University of the Incarnate Word doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.2 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.1, University of the Incarnate Word 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 University of the Incarnate Word — aim above 1042, ideally within the 900–1140 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of the Incarnate Word is November 1 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. 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.