Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Athens, West Virginia
89.7% Acceptance Rate
Concord University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.7%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
980Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$18,969Annual Cost
$42,703Grad Salary
46.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.7%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
980
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
840–1080
ACT Middle 50%
17–22
Avg Net Price
$9,983
Need-Based Aid
46.8% receive Pell
Concord University is a public institution in West Virginia that values academic rigor and supportive faculty relationships. Admissions are based on a review of high school academic units, GPA, and recommendation letters from counselors or principals. The university maintains clear standards for academic good standing and looks for students who show the potential to be successful in an intimate, challenging, and mission-driven campus environment.
Prospective students should aim for a strong GPA in academic subjects and ensure they have completed the required college-prep units by their senior year. Those who demonstrate leadership or a strong history of school involvement are preferred. Clearly expressing an interest in the university's specific programs during the application process can assist in demonstrating a sincere interest in the campus community.
Concord University Acceptance Rate
Concord University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 89.7% 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 — 89.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Concord University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Concord 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 February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 177 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Concord 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
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/02/01 (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.
Concord University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Concord University is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.10–3.4 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
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 3.60–3.80.Concord 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
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Concord's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was designed in 2022 and nationally accredited in 2024, reporting a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% employment rate for its most recent graduates.
- Admission to Concord and declaration of Nursing as a major does not guarantee entry into the Nursing Program; three distinct pathways exist, each with separate requirements.
- The Lawrence J. Pace, Sr. MD & Nettie Elswick Pace Endowed College of Nursing Scholarship gives preference to nursing majors from Mercer, Monroe, McDowell, or Summers counties.
- First-year admission requires no application fee, no essay, and no letter of recommendation; standardized tests are optional but can help with scholarship eligibility.
- 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 Concord University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Concord 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.
Concord University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Concord University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Concord University Without SAT or ACT?
Concord University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Concord University Average SAT Score: 980
The average SAT score of admitted students at Concord University is 980 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 980 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Concord 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 840, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Concord 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 | 465 | 400 | 530 |
| SAT Reading | 495 | 440 | 550 |
| SAT Composite | 980 | 840 | 1080 |
Below 840, you're behind most admitted students; at 1080 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 1000
Can I get into Concord University with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Concord 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.
Concord University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Concord University is 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 21 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 22 |
Can I get into Concord University with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Concord 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 Concord University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Concord University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Concord University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Know that Concord's BSN program is brand new - check current accreditation status directly
Concord's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program was only designed in 2022 and received national accreditation in 2024, meaning its track record is genuinely short despite reporting a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% employment for its most recent graduates. Verify the program's current accreditation status directly with Concord's Department of Nursing before applying, since a very young program's accreditation status and reported outcomes can shift faster than an established program's.
Target the county-specific nursing scholarship if you're from the local Appalachian counties
The Lawrence J. Pace, Sr. MD & Nettie Elswick Pace Endowed College of Nursing Scholarship gives explicit preference to nursing majors from Mercer, Monroe, McDowell, or Summers counties - a genuinely local, county-specific award most applicants outside the immediate region won't know to look for. If you're from one of these four counties, name this scholarship specifically in your financial aid conversations rather than relying on general merit aid alone.
Understand that declaring Nursing as your major does not secure your seat
Concord explicitly states that admission to the university and declaration of Nursing as a major does not guarantee a spot in the Nursing Program - candidates must separately satisfy requirements for one of three specific BSN pathways. Identify which of the three pathways (traditional, RN-to-BSN, or another route) fits your background early, and treat the nursing program application as a distinct second step from general admission.
Use Concord's zero-essay, zero-fee application to apply broadly and let test scores work only in your favor
Concord requires no application fee, no essay, and no letter of recommendation for first-year admission, and while standardized tests aren't required, submitting strong scores can only help with scholarship eligibility since there's no requirement that could hurt you. If you have a competitive test score, submit it specifically for scholarship consideration even though it's optional for admission, since it functions as pure upside in this test-optional system.
Expert Insight:
A specific and current risk is treating Concord's newly accredited (2024) BSN program with the same confidence as a decades-old nursing program with a long outcomes history - a very new program's reported 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% employment reflect only its first graduating cohorts, and a student should ask directly about cohort size and how many graduating classes those figures actually represent before treating them as a stable, long-term track record.
Concord University Profile
Full Name
Concord University
City
Athens
State
West Virginia
ZIP Code
24712
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Concord University Degree Worth It?
At $18,969/year against a $42,703 median graduate salary, Concord 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 $41,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.38%.
How much does a degree from Concord University Cost?
The sticker price is $18,969/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $9,983.
46.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 45.6% take federal loans at Concord University. File your FAFSA early and list Concord University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Concord University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,703. That's about 5% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Concord University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Concord University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Concord University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Concord University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Concord University Admissions
Median earnings for Concord University graduates sit around $42,703 a year.
At about $18,969 a year, Concord University is on the more affordable end.
About 46.8% receive a Pell Grant at Concord University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 89.7%, Concord University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Concord University average a 3.4 GPA.
Concord University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.1 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3, Concord 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 Concord University — aim above 980, ideally within the 840–1080 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Concord University is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/02/01 (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.
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