Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Austin, Texas
83.7% Acceptance Rate
Saint Edward's University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.7%Acceptance Rate
3.53Avg GPA
1135Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$64,975Annual Cost
$58,826Grad Salary
39.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.7%
Avg GPA
3.53
Avg SAT
1135
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1235
ACT Middle 50%
20–25
Need-Based Aid
39.5% receive Pell
Saint Edward's University is a private, Catholic, Holy Cross university in Texas known for its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and global perspective. Fostering a supportive and diverse environment, the university encourages students to think critically, act ethically, and contribute to the betterment of their communities.
Saint Edward's University Acceptance Rate
Saint Edward's University (St. Edwards University) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 83.7% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.08
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Edward's University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Edward's University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of December 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
St. Edwards 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.
Priority
December 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) 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.
St. Edwards University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at St. Edwards University is 3.53. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.23 and 3.53? 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 3.73–3.93.St. Edwards University 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
3.53 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.13 – 3.32
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.12
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- St. Edward's is a private Holy Cross Catholic university in Austin with holistic, test-optional review; application rounds are First Review (Nov 1), Early App-I (Dec 1), Early App-II (Jan 1) - all fee-waived - then Priority (Feb 1) and Final (May 1).
- The university launched its first-ever Nursing program in Fall 2024 (CCNE-accredited by 2025), with three BSN pathways including a 13-month Accelerated BSN for second-degree students.
- In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Education eliminated discretionary Hispanic-Serving Institution grant funding nationwide, ending federal support for St. Edward's CAMP (continuous since 1972) and McNair Scholars programs; the university is replacing this funding through private donations.
- Only one academic letter of recommendation is required (more may be submitted), and holistic review weighs curriculum rigor and essay quality more heavily in the absence of required test scores.
- 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 St. Edwards University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Edward's University'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.
Saint Edward's University (St. Edwards University) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if St. Edwards University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into St. Edwards University Without SAT or ACT?
St. Edwards University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Edward's University Average SAT Score: 1135
The average SAT score of admitted students at Saint Edward's University is 1135 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1135 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1235 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Edward's University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at St. Edwards University. 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 | 548 | 500 | 595 |
| SAT Reading | 585 | 530 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1030 | 1235 |
Below 1030, you're behind most admitted students; at 1235 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 1150
Can I get into Saint Edward's University (St. Edwards University) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of St. Edwards University'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.
Saint Edward's University (St. Edwards University) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at St. Edwards University is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT English | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into Saint Edward's University with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of St. Edwards University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that 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, especially Science 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 St. Edwards University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for St. Edwards University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into St. Edwards University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Hit One of the Three Free Early Rounds
St. Edward's runs a multi-round system: First Review (November 1), Early Application-I (December 1), and Early Application-II (January 1) all waive the $50 fee, followed by Priority (February 1) and Final (May 1). Apply in one of the three free rounds rather than treating this as a single "apply whenever" rolling deadline - earlier rounds get faster decisions and put your file in front of more uncommitted scholarship dollars before the Priority deadline.
Name the Brand-New BSN Pathway Directly If You're Health-Science Bound
St. Edward's launched its first-ever Nursing program with a Fall 2024 inaugural cohort of just 10 students, achieving full CCNE accreditation in 2025. Three BSN pathways exist, including a 13-month Accelerated BSN for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree. Because this program is brand new and still small, contact the Department of Nursing directly to confirm current cohort size and cycle timing rather than assuming it follows the same rolling pattern as the general university application.
Pick Your One Recommender to Show Improvement, Not Just Strength
St. Edward's explicitly says it looks for "demonstrated academic success and improvement... throughout high school," not simply a flat high GPA, and requires only one academic letter of recommendation (though more can be submitted). Choose the recommender who can speak specifically to a challenge you worked through or a trajectory of improvement - that maps directly onto the stated holistic-review criteria rather than just confirming you're a strong student.
Ask Directly What Replaced Federally-Funded HSI Support Programs
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Education eliminated discretionary Hispanic-Serving Institution grant funding nationwide, cutting federal support for St. Edward's College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP - the longest continuously-running CAMP program in the U.S., serving migrant-background students since 1972) and its McNair Scholars program. The university is now funding replacements through private donations. If you were counting on either program, ask admissions directly what the current privately-funded equivalent looks like rather than assuming the old federal structure is still in place.
Expert Insight:
The most common mistake is treating the rolling multi-round system as a single flexible deadline. Missing all three free early rounds (Nov 1 / Dec 1 / Jan 1) means paying the $50 fee and getting meaningfully less runway before scholarship-relevant Priority (Feb 1) and Final (May 1) deadlines. Separately, don't assume every support program named in older marketing materials - specifically CAMP and McNair - still carries the federal funding it historically did; those specific line items were eliminated in fall 2025 pending private-donor replacement.
St. Edwards University Profile
Full Name
Saint Edward's University (St. Edwards University)
City
Austin
State
Texas
ZIP Code
78704-6489
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a St. Edwards University Degree Worth It?
At $64,975/year against a $58,826 median graduate salary, St. Edwards University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.06%.
How much does a degree from St. Edwards University Cost?
The sticker price is $64,975/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
39.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.1% take federal loans at St. Edwards University. File your FAFSA early and list St. Edwards University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a St. Edwards University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,826. That's about 45% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Edward's University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, 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 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Edward's University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Edward's University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at St. Edwards University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Edwards University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Edward's University run about $58,826 a year.
At about $64,975 a year, Saint Edward's University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 39.5% receive a Pell Grant at Saint Edward's University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 83.7%, Saint Edward's University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Edward's University average a 3.53 GPA.
Saint Edward's University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.23 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.13, Saint Edward's University 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 Saint Edward's University — aim above 1135, ideally within the 1030–1235 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Saint Edward's University is December 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). 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.