Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Waukesha, Wisconsin
58.4% Acceptance Rate
Carroll University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.4%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
1209Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$49,935Annual Cost
$58,009Grad Salary
21.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.4%
Avg GPA
3.39
Avg SAT
1209
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1260
ACT Middle 50%
22–28
Need-Based Aid
21.7% receive Pell
Carroll University, Wisconsin's first college (1846), offers distinctive health science programs with its Pioneer Core curriculum. The 132-acre Waukesha campus includes the new Doug and Nancy Hastad Hall for health professions. Carroll's 'Guaranteed Placement Program' ensures graduate school or career outcomes.
Carroll University Acceptance Rate
Carroll University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 58.4% each year.
What Carroll 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 — 58.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Carroll University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Carroll University (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 85 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 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.
Carroll University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Carroll University is 3.39. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.09–3.39 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 3.59–3.79.Carroll 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
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Wisconsin's first four-year institution of higher learning (founded 1846); Presbyterian-affiliated
- Individually evaluated admissions based on GPA and coursework; SAT/ACT submission optional
- Direct admittance pathway available into pre-physical therapy/athletic training tracks for qualifying students
- All programs embedded with the Pioneer Core, Carroll's cross-cultural general education curriculum
- 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 Carroll University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Carroll University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Carroll University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Carroll 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 Carroll University Without SAT or ACT?
Carroll University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Carroll University Average SAT Score: 1209
Admitted students at Carroll University average a 1209 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1209 — Slightly Competitive
A 1209 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1260 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Carroll University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1050? A retake is worth it at Carroll 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 | 585 | 520 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 530 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1209 | 1050 | 1260 |
A score under 1050 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1260+ 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 1200
Can I get into Carroll University with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Carroll 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.
Carroll University ACT Requirements
Carroll University's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 28 |
Can I get into Carroll University with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of Carroll 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, Carroll 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 Carroll University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Carroll University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Ask about direct admittance into pre-PT/athletic training if interested
This is a real, named structural feature that bypasses a separate later application step for qualifying students.
Reference the Pioneer Core's cross-cultural emphasis directly
This is Carroll's specific general education framework, not a generic "well-rounded liberal arts" claim - name it if global/cross-cultural learning appeals to you.
Focus on demonstrating course rigor since SAT/ACT is optional
Admission is individually evaluated on GPA and coursework - put your effort into a rigorous course record rather than deciding whether to submit test scores.
Name the Milwaukee/Chicago proximity directly for internship or clinical placement interest
Carroll explicitly markets this location advantage for its health sciences programs.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat "individually evaluated" admissions processes as vague or unstructured. At Carroll, this specifically means GPA and course rigor carry real individualized weight - a strong course-rigor record can matter more here than at schools with more formulaic, numbers-driven review.
Carroll University Profile
Full Name
Carroll University
City
Waukesha
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53186
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Carroll University Degree Worth It?
At $49,935/year against a $58,009 median graduate salary, Carroll 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 $73,400, and graduates see a 2.71% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Carroll University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $49,935/year at Carroll University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Carroll University, 21.7% receive a Pell Grant and 61.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Carroll University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Carroll University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Carroll University graduates report a median income of $58,009, about 43% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Carroll University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
| The College of Idaho | Caldwell, ID | 1166 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Carroll University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Carroll University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at Carroll University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Carroll University Admissions
Carroll University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $58,009/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Carroll University is moderate, around $49,935/year; many students supplement with aid.
21.7% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Carroll University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Carroll University's acceptance rate is 58.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Carroll University students is 3.39, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.09 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Carroll University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.99 or below makes admission tougher at Carroll University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Carroll University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1209, and within the 1050–1260 range, keeps you competitive.
Carroll University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). That's Carroll 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.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Wisconsin Colleges
Average SAT Score of Wisconsin Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Wisconsin
Bachelor Programs in Wisconsin
Test Optional Colleges in Wisconsin
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Wisconsin