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#42 Best Private Colleges in New York

St. Bona Admission Requirements

Saint Bonaventure, New York

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Your chances of getting into Saint Bonaventure University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

81.1%
Admission Difficulty for Saint Bonaventure University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at St. Bona is 81.1%.  Its admission rate is the 105th lowest in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into St. Bona and can you get accepted?

Saint Bonaventure University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,061 out of the 3,774 who applied were admitted.

Saint Bonaventure University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.48. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into St. Bona?

81% 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 Saint Bonaventure University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.48 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1140 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

St. Bona GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.48

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Saint Bonaventure University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into St. Bona are to have around a 3.48 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.48 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as St. Bona accepts 81% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at St. Bona is 3.48 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #57 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since St. Bona 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 3.5 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 Saint Bonaventure University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 13.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 24.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 7.0% 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 

St. Bona SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Saint Bonaventure University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1050-1220

Applicants Submitting SAT 

33%
SAT Scores for Saint Bonaventure University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 520
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1050
SAT Scores for Saint Bonaventure University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1220
Average SAT Score 1140

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Saint Bonaventure University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at St. Bona is 1140 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1050-1220. Students who get into Saint Bonaventure University score in the top 51 percent of all SAT test takers..  St. Bona ranks #76 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1140 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. St. Bona 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 960, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Saint Bonaventure University 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 1140 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 1135, you have around a 81% chance of being admitted. A 1220 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 89% chance of getting in.

Saint Bonaventure University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >89%
1135 to 1220 Avg + 81%-89%
1050 to 1135 Avg - 69%-81%
965 to 1050 Reach 54%-69%
Less than 965 Low <54%
Calculate My Chances 

St. Bona ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Saint Bonaventure University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Saint Bonaventure University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 31
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into St. Bona?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to St. Bona is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 32.  The school ranks #36 in New York and #222 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Saint Bonaventure University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Saint Bonaventure University 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 St. Bona for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 81% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 32 ACT score.

Saint Bonaventure University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >90%
28 to 32 Avg + 81%-90%
25 to 28 Avg - 71%-81%
22 to 25 Reach 59%-71%
Less than 22 Low <59%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

80% of Saint Bonaventure University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Saint Bonaventure University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 39%
Top 50% of class 80%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Saint Bonaventure University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,970 1,804 3,774
Accepted 1,612 1,449 3,061
Acceptance Rate 82% 80% 81%
Enrolled 263 308 571
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 21% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 30, 2025

Days left to Apply

217

Applicants have 217 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jul 30, 2025.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Saint Bonaventure University 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 Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Saint Bonaventure University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Saint Bonaventure University 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 3.48 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1140 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Saint Bonaventure University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=195164 IPEDS survey data for Saint Bonaventure University.

Last updated February 24, 2024