Rider University Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Lawrenceville, NJ
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#4 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

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Rider University Admission Overview

Rider University admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Rider University admitted 78.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.41 GPA (B+) and SAT 1100-1320 / ACT 27-31. Rider University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rider University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rider University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

78.6%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Rider University acceptance rate is 78.6%. Last year, 7,920 of 10,071 applicants were admitted. That is the 20th lowest acceptance rate in New Jersey.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Rider University and can you get accepted?

Rider University is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Rider University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.41. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rider University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.41

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.41

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Rider University typically have around a 3.41 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Rider University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #11 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Rider University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	17.87%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	12.54%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	17.87%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	15.67%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	15.05%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	18.5%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	2.51%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Rider University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1100-1320

Freshmen who sent SAT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 550
Math 550
Composite 1100

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 650
Composite 1320

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Rider University typically score around a 1210 SAT (middle 50% 1100–1320) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 77th percentile nationally. Rider University ranks #12 in the state of New Jersey for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1100 to 1320

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Rider University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1210 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Rider University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1320+	Above 75th	>88%
1210 to 1320	Avg +	79%-88%
1100 to 1210	Avg -	66%-79%
Below 1100	Below mid-50	<66%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Rider University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

27-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 24
Composite 27

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 27
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Rider University typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Rider University places #5 among colleges in New Jersey and #178 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Rider University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Rider University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31+	Above 75th	>88%
29 to 31	Avg +	79%-88%
27 to 29	Avg -	66%-79%
Below 27	Below mid-50	<66%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Rider University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Rider University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	5,971	4,095	10,071
Accepted	4,676	3,240	7,920
Acceptance Rate	78%	79%	79%
Enrolled	404	315	720
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	9%	10%	9%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Rider University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Rider University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Rider University is $60.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Rider University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Rider University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 78.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.41 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1100-1320); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025