M
Private 4 Year

Mills College Admission Requirements

Oakland, California

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Your chances of getting into Mills College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

16.5%
Admission Difficulty for Mills College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Mills College is 16.5%.  Its admission rate is the 11th lowest in California and the 60th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Mills College and can you get accepted?

Mills College is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 2,841 out of the 17,177 who applied were admitted.

Mills College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.57. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Mills College?

17% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Mills College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.57 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1460 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Mills College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.57

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Mills College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Mills College are to have around a 3.57 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Mills College is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Mills College is 3.57 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #45 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Mills College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Mills College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 18.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 21.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 19.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Mills College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Mills College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1390-1520

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for Mills College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 670
Math 25th Percentile 720
Composite 25th Percentile 1390
SAT Scores for Mills College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 780
Composite 75th Percentile 1520
Average SAT Score 1460

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Mills College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Mills College is 1460 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1390-1520. Students who get into Mills College score in the top 5 percent of all SAT test takers..  Mills College ranks #8 in the state of California and #58 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1460 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Mills College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1390 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1390, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1320, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Mills College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1460 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1455, you have around a 17% chance of being admitted. A 1520 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 28% chance of getting in.

Mills College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1520 and Above Good >28%
1455 to 1520 Avg + 17%-28%
1390 to 1455 Avg - 10%-17%
1325 to 1390 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 1325 Low <5%
Calculate My Chances 

Mills College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

31-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for Mills College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 30
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 31
ACT Scores for Mills College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 33
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Mills College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Mills College is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 33.  The school ranks #10 in California and #62 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Mills College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Mills College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Mills College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 17% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 28% with a 33 ACT score.

Mills College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >28%
32 to 33 Avg + 17%-28%
31 to 32 Avg - 10%-17%
30 to 31 Reach 5%-10%
Less than 30 Low <5%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

54% of Mills College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 27% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Mills College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 27%
Top 25% of class 54%
Top 50% of class 84%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Mills College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,178 7,998 17,177
Accepted 1,517 1,324 2,841
Acceptance Rate 17% 17% 17%
Enrolled 223 264 487
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 20% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Mills College is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Mills College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Mills College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Mills College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Mills College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.57 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1460 on the SAT and optimally 1520 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 32 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Mills College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=118888 IPEDS survey data for Mills College.

Last updated February 24, 2025