Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, located in Lancaster, is a specialized institution focused exclusively on healthcare education. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, the college offers programs in nursing, allied health, and healthcare administration. The campus features state-of-the-art simulation labs, including a virtual hospital environment with high-fidelity patient manikins. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio in clinical courses, students receive exceptional hands-on training. The college boasts exceptional NCLEX pass rates and 100% job placement for many programs.
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences takes pride in its direct connection to a major healthcare system, providing students with clinical experiences throughout their education. The curriculum emphasizes interprofessional education, preparing students for team-based healthcare delivery. Recent expansions include new science labs and collaborative learning spaces. The college's focused mission, hospital affiliation, and strong graduate outcomes make it a top choice for healthcare education in Central Pennsylvania.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Acceptance Rate
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) is a well-known institution with a selective admissions process. With an acceptance rate of 44.12%, successful applicants typically show strong performance across both academic and personal categories.
Admissions Guidelines
- Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
- Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Admission Requirements
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Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Average SAT Score: 1135
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is 1135 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1135 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT or ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1095, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to PA College. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 0 | ||
| SAT Reading | 0 | ||
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1095 | 1165 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1095 then you are below most of the admitted students at PA College and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1165 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) with a 1150 SAT?
With a 1150 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) are good but the admission staff at PA College tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
PA College Profile
Name: Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College)
City: Lancaster
State: Pennsylvania
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 17601
Campus: Main
Accredited by: ()
How much does a degree from PA College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is USD: 41566. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
30.18% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 55.55 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to PA College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist PA College as your choice in the form.
How much a PA College Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 69731. An average PA College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Auburn University at Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy University, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Grand Canyon University, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | University of the Ozarks, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Western Colorado University, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Lynn University, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | University of West Florida, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Augustana College, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Ouachita Baptist University, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Biology, General
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Registered Nursing
Masters Degree Programs
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
- Public Health
- Registered Nursing
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $69731 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $41566 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are excellent, with more than a 80% chance, depending on your academic performance and extracurricular involvement.
Question: What is the acceptance rate?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is 44.12 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement
Answer: Admission to Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1135 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1095-1165
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.