Your chances of getting into Culinary Institute of America
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Culinary Institute of America is 91.8%. Its admission rate is the 141st lowest in New York.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Culinary Institute of America and can you get accepted?
Culinary Institute of America is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,983 out of the 2,161 who applied were admitted.
Culinary Institute of America typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.26. 34% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Culinary Institute of America?
92% 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.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Culinary Institute of America you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.26 or better
- Earn B grades in high school
- Score 1080 on the SAT
- Score 21 on the ACT
Culinary Institute of America GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Culinary Institute of America?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Culinary Institute of America are to have around a 3.26 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.26 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Culinary Institute of America accepts 92% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Culinary Institute of America is 3.26 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #81 in New York for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Culinary Institute of America 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 3.3 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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Culinary Institute of America SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Culinary Institute of America. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 20% of students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 500 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 470 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 970 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 605 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 590 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1195 |
| Average SAT Score | 1080
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Culinary Institute of America?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Culinary Institute of America is 1080 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 970-1195. Students who get into Culinary Institute of America score in the top 66 percent of all SAT test takers.. Culinary Institute of America ranks #93 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1080 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Culinary Institute of America regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 970 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 970, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 860, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Culinary Institute of America 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 1080 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 1082, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1195 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.
Culinary Institute of America ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 17 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 17 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 25 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 24 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 25 |
| Average ACT Score | 21
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Culinary Institute of America?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Culinary Institute of America is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 25. The school ranks #72 in New York for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 13.
6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Culinary Institute of America.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Culinary Institute of America 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 classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Culinary Institute of America for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 25 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,204 | 957 | 2,161 |
| Accepted | 1,135 | 848 | 1,983 |
| Acceptance Rate | 94% | 89% | 92% |
| Enrolled | 332 | 348 | 680 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 29% | 41% | 34% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Culinary Institute of America is $50.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Culinary Institute of America and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| 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 considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Culinary Institute of America 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 3.26 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1080 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Culinary Institute of America often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190503 IPEDS survey data for Culinary Institute of America.
Last updated February 24, 2025