Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
44.1% Acceptance Rate
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
44.1%Acceptance Rate
1135Avg SAT
$41,566Annual Cost
$69,731Grad Salary
30.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
44.1%
Avg SAT
1135
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
1095–1165
Need-Based Aid
30.2% receive Pell
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 is selective but reasonable: about 44.1% of applicants (44 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What PA College Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 44.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 108 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at PA College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at PA College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into PA College Without SAT or ACT?
PA College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Average SAT Score: 1135
Admitted students at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster average a 1135 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1135 — Less Competitive
A 1135 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1095? A retake is worth it at PA College — 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1095 | 1165 |
A score under 1095 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1165+ 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 1150
Can I get into Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in PA College'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for PA College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At PA College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Apply to Lancaster's nursing programs through a completely separate process from Hawk Hill
SJU's Lancaster campus runs its own distinct application and acceptance process for Allied Health, ASN, and BSN - the two campuses do not share nursing applicant information. A student interested in Lancaster specifically must contact that campus directly, not assume a Hawk Hill application covers it.
Use direct-entry OT/PT/pharmacy pathways only from the main campus system, not Lancaster
SJU's accelerated direct-entry pathways into occupational therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacy (available straight from high school) are Philadelphia-based programs. A student drawn specifically to Lancaster's nursing/allied-health focus should not expect these direct-entry professional tracks to apply there.
Leverage the "not admitted to Nursing" fallback into Health Sciences
Students who apply to BSN with a strong record but aren't admitted into the Nursing major specifically may be offered Health Sciences instead - a genuine backup pathway that still allows changing into a healthcare-track major before enrollment. This is worth raising proactively with a borderline BSN applicant.
Reference the Center for Excellence in Practice as a concrete differentiator
Lancaster's simulation facility includes high-fidelity patient simulators and replica hospital rooms - naming this specific facility in an interview or essay shows real research into the campus rather than generic healthcare-program enthusiasm.
Expert Insight:
Because "Saint Joseph's University" now spans multiple very different campuses after the 2022 University of the Sciences merger, students researching online sometimes blend Philadelphia-specific programs (direct-entry OT/PT/pharmacy) with Lancaster-specific programs (nursing/allied health) - confirm which physical campus a program actually runs on before building an application plan.
PA College Profile
Full Name
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster (PA College)
City
Lancaster
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
17601
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a PA College Degree Worth It?
Whether PA College 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 $63,100, and graduates see a 2.28% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from PA College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $41,566/year at PA College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At PA College, 30.2% receive a Pell Grant and 55.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming PA College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a PA College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, PA College graduates report a median income of $69,731, about 72% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
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 | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | 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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, 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, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at PA College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
First Professional Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About PA College Admissions
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster graduates earn a moderate median salary of $69,731/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster is moderate, around $41,566/year; many students supplement with aid.
30.2% of Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster's acceptance rate is 44.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1135, and within the 1095–1165 range, keeps you competitive.
Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 20.
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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