State University of New York at New Paltz Admission Requirements

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • New Paltz, NY
  • 0 reviews
#8 Best Public Universities in New York

State University of New York at New Paltz Admission Overview

State University of New York at New Paltz admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year State University of New York at New Paltz admitted 61.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (A-) and SAT 1170-1340 / ACT 25-29. State University of New York at New Paltz is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

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

State University of New York at New Paltz Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

61.6%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for State University of New York at New Paltz

Acceptance Rate

The State University of New York at New Paltz acceptance rate is 61.6%. Last year, 10,616 of 17,232 applicants were admitted. That is the 50th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into State University of New York at New Paltz and can you get accepted?

State University of New York at New Paltz 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. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

State University of New York at New Paltz typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

State University of New York at New Paltz GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.6

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.6

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at State University of New York at New Paltz typically have around a 3.6 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. State University of New York at New Paltz is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

29% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #39 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 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 State University of New York at New Paltz freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 28.95% Good
3.75 to 3.99 16.86% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 27.36% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.53% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.12% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 4.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.59% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.09% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

State University of New York at New Paltz SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1170-1340

Freshmen who sent SAT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 570
  • Composite 1170
SAT 25th percentile scores for State University of New York at New Paltz

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 690
  • Math 650
  • Composite 1340
SAT 75th percentile scores for State University of New York at New Paltz

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at State University of New York at New Paltz typically score around a 1260 SAT (middle 50% 1170–1340) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 83rd percentile nationally. State University of New York at New Paltz ranks #41 in the state of New York for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1170 to 1340

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

State University of New York at New Paltz is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

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

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at State University of New York at New Paltz
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1340+ Above 75th >76%
1260 to 1340 Avg + 63%-76%
1170 to 1260 Avg - 46%-63%
Below 1170 Below mid-50 <46%

What do these figures mean?

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

State University of New York at New Paltz ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

3%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 24
  • Math 23
  • Composite 25
ACT 25th percentile scores for State University of New York at New Paltz

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 30
  • Math 27
  • Composite 29
ACT 75th percentile scores for State University of New York at New Paltz

Average ACT

Incoming testers at State University of New York at New Paltz typically have around a 27 ACT (mid-50 25–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 85th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. State University of New York at New Paltz places #46 among colleges in New York for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to State University of New York at New Paltz without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 27.0 ACT score range.

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

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at State University of New York at New Paltz
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
29+ Above 75th >76%
27 to 29 Avg + 62%-76%
25 to 27 Avg - 46%-62%
Below 25 Below mid-50 <46%

How to read these figures

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the State University of New York at New Paltz chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

State University of New York at New Paltz admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,287 6,878 17,232
Accepted 6,752 3,832 10,616
Acceptance Rate 66% 56% 62%
Enrolled 764 370 1,135
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 10% 11%

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

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to State University of New York at New Paltz and what student information is used for admission decisions?

State University of New York at New Paltz application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

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

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Apr 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

192

Applicants have 192 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to State University of New York at New Paltz is $50.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at State University of New York at New Paltz
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

State University of New York at New Paltz is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 61.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.6 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1170-1340); otherwise withhold. 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 State University of New York at New Paltz often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196176.

GPA calculator: State University of New York at New Paltz GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026