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#38 Best Private Colleges in New York

Canisius Admission Requirements

Buffalo, New York

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Your chances of getting into Canisius College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

77.7%
Admission Difficulty for Canisius College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Canisius is 77.7%.  Its admission rate is the 93rd lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Canisius College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,211 out of the 4,131 who applied were admitted.

Canisius College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Canisius?

78% 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 Canisius College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1190 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Canisius GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Canisius College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Canisius are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.7 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Canisius accepts 78% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Canisius is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 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 #24 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Canisius 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 3.7 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 Canisius College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 30.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 25.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 14.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 5.0% 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 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Canisius SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Canisius College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 29% 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 

1050-1320

Applicants Submitting SAT 

29%
SAT Scores for Canisius College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for Canisius College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1320
Average SAT Score 1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Canisius is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1320. Students who get into Canisius College score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  Canisius ranks #62 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Canisius regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1050 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1050, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Canisius 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 1190 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 1185, you have around a 78% chance of being admitted. A 1320 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 87% chance of getting in.

Canisius College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1320 and Above Good >87%
1185 to 1320 Avg + 78%-87%
1050 to 1185 Avg - 65%-78%
915 to 1050 Reach 50%-65%
Less than 915 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

Canisius ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for Canisius College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Canisius College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Canisius?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Canisius is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 28.  The school ranks #66 in New York for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Canisius College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Canisius 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 Canisius for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 78% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 28 ACT score.

Canisius College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >87%
25 to 28 Avg + 78%-87%
22 to 25 Avg - 65%-78%
19 to 22 Reach 50%-65%
Less than 19 Low <50%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

79% of Canisius College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 47% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Canisius College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 17%
Top 25% of class 47%
Top 50% of class 79%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Canisius College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,339 1,785 4,131
Accepted 1,872 1,332 3,211
Acceptance Rate 80% 75% 78%
Enrolled 238 239 478
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 18% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Canisius 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 Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Canisius College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1190 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Canisius College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=189705 IPEDS survey data for Canisius College.

Last updated February 24, 2024