Canisius Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Buffalo, NY
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#40 Best Private Colleges in New York

Canisius Admission Overview

Canisius admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Canisius admitted 72.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-). Canisius is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

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

Canisius Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

72.4%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Canisius University

Acceptance Rate

The Canisius acceptance rate is 72.4%. Last year, 3,021 of 4,175 applicants were admitted. That is the 77th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Canisius is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Canisius University typically 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. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Canisius GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.7

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Canisius typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Canisius is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

The school ranks #23 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 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 Canisius University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Canisius SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1050-1320

Freshmen who sent SAT

29%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 520
  • Math 530
  • Composite 1050
SAT 25th percentile scores for Canisius University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 660
  • Math 660
  • Composite 1320
SAT 75th percentile scores for Canisius University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Canisius typically score around a 1190 SAT (middle 50% 1050–1320) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 74th percentile nationally. Canisius ranks #67 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1050 to 1320

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

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

Canisius ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-28

Freshmen reporting ACT

6%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 22
ACT 25th percentile scores for Canisius University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 28
ACT 75th percentile scores for Canisius University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Canisius typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–28) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Canisius places #57 among colleges in New York for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 28

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

79% of Canisius University 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 University 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

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the Canisius chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Canisius University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,216 1,945 4,175
Accepted 1,696 1,314 3,021
Acceptance Rate 77% 68% 72%
Enrolled 210 183 397
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 14% 13%

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

Application Requirements

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

Canisius University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
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 required for admission, but considered if submitted

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

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Canisius University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

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

Admission summary

Canisius is test-free for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 72.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Canisius University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=189705.

GPA calculator: Canisius University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026