H
Private 4 Year

Hillsdale College Admission Requirements

Hillsdale, Michigan

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Your chances of getting into Hillsdale College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

20.6%
Admission Difficulty for Hillsdale College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Hillsdale College is 20.6%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Michigan and the 73rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Hillsdale 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 621 out of the 3,017 who applied were admitted.

Hillsdale College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.93. Of those applicants who were admitted, 62% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Hillsdale College?

21% 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 Hillsdale College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.93 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1440 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT

Hillsdale College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.93

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Hillsdale College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Hillsdale College are to have around a 3.93 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

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

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Hillsdale College is 3.93 on the 4.0 scale. 65% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Hillsdale 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 3.9 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 Hillsdale College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 64.74% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 24.94% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 6.8% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 3.02% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.25% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.25% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Hillsdale College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Hillsdale 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 30% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1360-1520

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for Hillsdale College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 690
Math 25th Percentile 670
Composite 25th Percentile 1360
SAT Scores for Hillsdale College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 760
Math 75th Percentile 760
Composite 75th Percentile 1520
Average SAT Score 1440

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Hillsdale College is 1440 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1360-1520. Students who get into Hillsdale College score in the top 7 percent of all SAT test takers..  Hillsdale College ranks #1 in the state of Michigan and #66 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1440 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Hillsdale College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1360 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1360, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1280, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Hillsdale 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 1440 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 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 1440, you have around a 21% chance of being admitted. A 1520 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 34% chance of getting in.

Hillsdale College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1520 and Above Good >34%
1440 to 1520 Avg + 21%-34%
1360 to 1440 Avg - 12%-21%
1280 to 1360 Reach 7%-12%
Less than 1280 Low <7%
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Hillsdale College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

30-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

30%
ACT Scores for Hillsdale College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 33
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 30
ACT Scores for Hillsdale College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Hillsdale College is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 34.  The school ranks #1 in Michigan and #69 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 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

30 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Hillsdale College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Hillsdale 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 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Hillsdale College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 21% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 34% with a 34 ACT score.

Hillsdale College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >34%
32 to 34 Avg + 21%-34%
30 to 32 Avg - 12%-21%
28 to 30 Reach 7%-12%
Less than 28 Low <7%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Hillsdale College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,574 1,443 3,017
Accepted 315 306 621
Acceptance Rate 20% 21% 21%
Enrolled 197 190 387
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 63% 62% 62%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Mar 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

114

Applicants have 114 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Mar 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Hillsdale College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Hillsdale 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 considered for admission, even 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 considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Hillsdale College
AP Credit
Dual Credit
Credit for Life Experiences

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Hillsdale College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.93 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1440 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.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=170286 IPEDS survey data for Hillsdale College.

Last updated February 24, 2024