Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
La Crosse, Wisconsin
73.3% Acceptance Rate
Viterbo University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
73.3%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1184Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$44,123Annual Cost
$55,660Grad Salary
22.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
73.3%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1184
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1040–1380
ACT Middle 50%
22–27
Need-Based Aid
22.5% receive Pell
Viterbo University, founded in 1890 by Franciscan Sisters, is Wisconsin's premier Catholic liberal arts institution. The La Crosse campus features state-of-the-art nursing labs and the Fine Arts Center. Viterbo's 'Servant Leadership' program embodies Franciscan values.
Viterbo University Acceptance Rate
Viterbo University is moderately selective. 73.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Viterbo 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 — 73.3% 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).
Viterbo University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Viterbo 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
Viterbo 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.
Viterbo GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Viterbo 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.Viterbo 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
- Catholic Franciscan university founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1890.
- NURSES program: HRSA grant-funded pathway exclusively for students from rural high schools within 100 miles of La Crosse.
- Direct-admit BSN pathway guarantees a professional-sequence spot if requirements are met by the Feb. 1 priority deadline.
- Nursing prerequisites require a C or better and a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA.
- 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 Viterbo
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Viterbo 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.
Viterbo University (Viterbo) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Viterbo is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Viterbo Without SAT or ACT?
Viterbo considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Viterbo University Average SAT Score: 1184
The average SAT score of admitted students at Viterbo University is 1184 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1184 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Viterbo 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 1040, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Viterbo. 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 | 615 | 520 | 710 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 520 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1184 | 1040 | 1380 |
Below 1040, you're behind most admitted students; at 1380 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 1200
Can I get into Viterbo University (Viterbo) with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Viterbo'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.
Viterbo University (Viterbo) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Viterbo is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 26 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 27 |
Can I get into Viterbo University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Viterbo'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 Viterbo.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Viterbo
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Viterbo takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Check NURSES program eligibility if from a rural area
Viterbo's federally-funded NURSES program is open only to students enrolled in a high school within 100 miles of La Crosse in an HRSA-defined rural county. If a student qualifies, this grant-funded pathway includes peer mentoring and dedicated success courses.
Hit the Feb. 1 priority deadline for direct-admit nursing
Direct admission to the BSN program isn't guaranteed for applicants who apply after Feb. 1. If nursing is the goal, treat that as a hard deadline, even though general admission stays open later.
Know the backup pathways if direct admission doesn't happen
Students who don't meet direct-admit criteria can apply via holistic admissions or start as pre-nursing and apply to the Professional Nursing Sequence later (deadlines April 1 or Nov 1). Knowing this ladder prevents students from feeling shut out.
Lock in nursing prerequisites early
Both admission pathways require chemistry, biology, psychology, and English completed with a C or better plus a 2.75 minimum GPA. Mapping these out with an advisor in year one avoids a bottleneck before sophomore-year clinicals.
Expert Insight:
Because Viterbo's nursing program uses several admission tracks (direct-entry, holistic review, pre-nursing), students sometimes assume any acceptance to Viterbo guarantees a nursing seat. It doesn't - the Professional Nursing Sequence has separate GPA thresholds and its own competitive deadlines.
Viterbo Profile
Full Name
Viterbo University (Viterbo)
City
La Crosse
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54601-8804
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Viterbo Degree Worth It?
Viterbo 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 $57,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.99%.
How much does a degree from Viterbo Cost?
The sticker price is $44,123/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
22.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.9% take federal loans at Viterbo. File your FAFSA early and list Viterbo as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Viterbo Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,660. That's about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Viterbo University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Viterbo University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Viterbo 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 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Viterbo
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Viterbo Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Viterbo University run about $55,660 a year.
Viterbo University costs roughly $44,123 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Viterbo University's Pell Grant rate of 22.5% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 73.3%, Viterbo University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Viterbo University average a 3.5 GPA.
Viterbo University 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, Viterbo 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 Viterbo University — aim above 1184, ideally within the 1040–1380 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Viterbo 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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