Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Farmville, Virginia
84.8% Acceptance Rate
Longwood University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.8%Acceptance Rate
3.59Avg GPA
1117Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$32,870Annual Cost
$52,347Grad Salary
26%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.8%
Avg GPA
3.59
Avg SAT
1117
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1190
ACT Middle 50%
22–25
Avg Net Price
$20,814
Need-Based Aid
26% receive Pell
Longwood University is a public, liberal arts institution in Virginia dedicated to the cultivation of "citizen leadership." With a focus on academic rigor, civic engagement, and personalized education, the university prepares students to become informed, responsible, and effective leaders in their communities and professions.
Longwood University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Longwood University is inclusive by design. 84.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 84.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.59 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.14
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Longwood University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Longwood University (Early Action — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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.
Longwood University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Longwood University is 3.59. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.29 and 3.59? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.79–3.99.Longwood University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.59 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.39 – 3.58
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.19 – 3.38
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.18
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Nursing applicants are ineligible for Regular Decision; they must apply via binding Nursing Early Decision (Nov 1) or non-binding Nursing Early Action (Dec 1), and standardized test scores are required for Nursing specifically even though the general application is test-optional.
- The Cormier Honors College is invitation-only after review of the general application, followed by a separate Honors Portfolio due December 1.
- General first-year admission requires no essay and no letter of recommendation; the regular admission deadline is February 1, with later applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
- All undergraduates complete the required Civitae Core Curriculum, anchored by the Citizen 110 freshman course sequence taught by full-time faculty around the theme of citizen leadership.
- 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 Longwood University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Longwood University'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.
Longwood University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Longwood 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 Longwood University Without SAT or ACT?
Longwood University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Longwood University Average SAT Score: 1117
Admitted students at Longwood University average a 1117 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1117 — Less Competitive
A 1117 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Longwood University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1020? A retake is worth it at Longwood 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 | 535 | 500 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 520 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1117 | 1020 | 1190 |
A score under 1020 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1190+ 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 1100
Can I get into Longwood University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Longwood 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.
Longwood University ACT Requirements
Longwood University's admitted students average an ACT of 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 20 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 22 | 25 |
Can I get into Longwood University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Longwood 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, Longwood 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 Longwood University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Longwood University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Build your Nursing timeline around November, not February
Nursing applicants cannot apply under Longwood's standard Regular Decision at all - they must apply through binding Nursing Early Decision (November 1) or non-binding Nursing Early Action (December 1). If not selected under Early Decision, applicants are automatically reconsidered under Early Action rather than needing a new application, but there is no later entry point once these deadlines pass.
Apply by early November to leave room for the Honors Portfolio
Cormier Honors College admission works as an invitation-only follow-up to your general application, followed by a separate Honors Portfolio due December 1. Submit your general application in early November specifically to leave enough time to be invited and then complete the portfolio - applying near the general February 1 deadline forecloses this option entirely.
Put your extra effort into test scores if you're applying to Nursing
Longwood requires no essay or letter of recommendation for standard admission, so a Nursing applicant's limited additional effort should go toward SAT/ACT scores - the one place Longwood breaks from its otherwise test-optional policy - rather than assuming general application polish substitutes for meeting Nursing's specific numeric requirement.
Reference the Civitae/Citizen 110 structure specifically, not generically
Longwood's entire undergraduate experience is organized around the required Civitae Core Curriculum and its signature Citizen 110 freshman course sequence, taught by full-time faculty across disciplines around citizen leadership. A student genuinely drawn to this model can reference specific aspects of it in optional materials or the Honors portfolio, since it reflects real curricular structure rather than marketing language.
Expert Insight:
Students interested in Nursing sometimes default to Longwood's standard Regular Decision timeline (February 1) because that's the deadline most visibly referenced for general admission, not realizing Nursing applicants are explicitly ineligible for Regular Admission and must have applied months earlier through Nursing-specific Early Decision or Early Action. By February, that cycle's Nursing application window has already closed.
Longwood University Profile
Full Name
Longwood University
City
Farmville
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
23909
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Longwood University Degree Worth It?
Whether Longwood University 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 $69,800, and graduates see a 2.52% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Longwood University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $32,870/year at Longwood University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $20,814.
At Longwood University, 26% receive a Pell Grant and 49.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Longwood University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Longwood University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Longwood University graduates report a median income of $52,347, about 29% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Longwood 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 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Longwood University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Longwood 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 |
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Longwood University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Longwood University Admissions
Longwood University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,347/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Longwood University is moderate, around $32,870/year; many students supplement with aid.
26.0% of Longwood University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Longwood University's acceptance rate is 84.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Longwood University students is 3.59, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.29 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Longwood University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.19 or below makes admission tougher at Longwood University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Longwood University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1117, and within the 1020–1190 range, keeps you competitive.
Longwood University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action).
Longwood University charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Longwood 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.
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