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#43 Best Private Colleges in New York

Houghton College Admission Requirements

Houghton, New York

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Houghton College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

92.7%
Admission Difficulty for Houghton College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Houghton College is 92.7%.  Its admission rate is the 143rd lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Houghton 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, 990 out of the 1,068 who applied were admitted.

Houghton College typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.25. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Houghton College?

93% 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.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Houghton College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.25 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1290 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Houghton College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.25

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Houghton College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Houghton College are to have around a 3.25 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.25 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Houghton College accepts 93% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Houghton College is 3.25 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 #84 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Houghton 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 3.2 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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Houghton College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Houghton College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 19% 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 

1180-1390

Applicants Submitting SAT 

19%
SAT Scores for Houghton College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 580
Composite 25th Percentile 1180
SAT Scores for Houghton College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 700
Math 75th Percentile 690
Composite 75th Percentile 1390
Average SAT Score 1290

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Houghton College is 1290 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1180-1390. Students who get into Houghton College score in the top 27 percent of all SAT test takers..  Houghton College ranks #37 in the state of New York and #216 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1290 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Houghton College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1180 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1180, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1070, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Houghton 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 1290 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1285, you have around a 93% chance of being admitted. A 1390 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Houghton College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1390 and Above Good >96%
1285 to 1390 Avg + 93%-96%
1180 to 1285 Avg - 87%-93%
1075 to 1180 Reach 79%-87%
Less than 1075 Low <79%
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Houghton College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for Houghton College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Houghton College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 31
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Houghton College is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 28.  The school ranks #58 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 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Houghton College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Houghton 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 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Houghton College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 93% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 28 ACT score.

Houghton College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >97%
25 to 28 Avg + 93%-97%
23 to 25 Avg - 89%-93%
21 to 23 Reach 83%-89%
Less than 21 Low <83%
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High School Class Rank

51% of Houghton College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 27% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Houghton College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 27%
Top 25% of class 51%
Top 50% of class 83%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Houghton College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 695 373 1,068
Accepted 648 342 990
Acceptance Rate 93% 92% 93%
Enrolled 157 78 235
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 24% 23% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Houghton 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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Houghton 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 3.25 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1290 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Houghton College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=191676 IPEDS survey data for Houghton College.

Last updated February 24, 2025