Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
San Marcos, California
46.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Saint Katherine — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
46.3%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
$48,604Annual Cost
34.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
46.3%
Avg GPA
3.43
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
34.9% receive Pell
The University of Saint Katherine, founded in 2010, is a private liberal arts university in San Marcos, California. Known for its small class sizes and interdisciplinary approach, it offers programs in arts, sciences, and humanities. Though young, it emphasizes personalized education and has modern facilities in a vibrant Southern California setting. The university is unranked by major publications but focuses on affordability and student engagement.
University of Saint Katherine Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 46.3%, University of Saint Katherine rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What University of Saint Katherine Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 46.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.98
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Saint Katherine Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Saint Katherine is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 113 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Regular Decision
March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) 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.
University of Saint Katherine GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Saint Katherine is 3.43. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.13–3.43 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 3.63–3.83.University of Saint Katherine 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
3.43 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.03 – 3.22
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.02
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Founded in 2010/2011 as Saint Katherine College in Encinitas, CA; renamed University of Saint Katherine in November 2016 after moving to San Marcos, CA in 2014 and adding graduate programs.
- Closed abruptly on April 25, 2024, mid-semester - not a planned teach-out with advance notice to students.
- Filed for bankruptcy citing cash shortfall and inflation; heavy athletics spending (NAIA, Cal Pac conference, ~85% of students were athletes) was cited as a contributing factor.
- No reopening or successor institution has operated at the location or under the name since closure.
- 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 University of Saint Katherine
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Saint Katherine'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
⚠️ 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.
University of Saint Katherine Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Saint Katherine is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Saint Katherine Without SAT or ACT?
University of Saint Katherine neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Saint Katherine
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
University of Saint Katherine rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds — it's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Status: Permanently Closed
This institution ceased operations on April 25, 2024. There is no admissions process, application, or enrollment pathway to build content around.
Closure Timeline
President and founder Frank J. Papatheofanis notified students and staff by email on April 25, 2024, that the university would cease operating immediately. Finals for the Spring 2024 semester were canceled with two weeks' notice, and the scheduled Class of 2024 commencement was thrown into doubt. Staff were directed to collect final paychecks the following day.
Stated Reasons
The university cited a "steep shortfall in operating cash" and "extraordinary inflation." News reporting at the time also noted the president pointed to the athletics program (over 85% of the ~300-student body were athletes) as a major driver of the school being significantly over budget. The institution filed for bankruptcy shortly after the announcement.
No Successor Institution
As of the most recent available information, there is no evidence of a reopening, acquisition, or successor institution operating at the former San Marcos, CA campus or under the University of Saint Katherine name. Its accreditor (WSCUC) and NAIA athletic conference listings reflect the closure.
Expert Insight:
If this UNITID appears elsewhere in your source list (e.g., pulled from an older IPEDS snapshot), treat it as a signal to re-verify other entries from the same batch or era for closures, mergers, or teach-outs before generating admissions content - a roadmap for a closed school isn't a minor inaccuracy, it actively misdirects a family's time and application effort.
University of Saint Katherine Profile
Full Name
University of Saint Katherine
City
San Marcos
State
California
ZIP Code
92069
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Is a University of Saint Katherine Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Saint Katherine 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.
How much does a degree from University of Saint Katherine Cost?
The sticker price is $48,604/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
34.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.1% take federal loans at University of Saint Katherine — file your FAFSA early and list University of Saint Katherine as a choice to be considered for both.
Degree Programs at University of Saint Katherine
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Saint Katherine Admissions
University of Saint Katherine costs roughly $48,604 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 34.9% receive a Pell Grant at University of Saint Katherine — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 46.3%, University of Saint Katherine's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Saint Katherine average a 3.43 GPA.
University of Saint Katherine doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.13 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.03, University of Saint Katherine becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
The application deadline for University of Saint Katherine is November 15 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. 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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