Purchase College Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Purchase, NY
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#16 Best Public Universities in New York

Purchase College Admission Overview

Purchase College admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Purchase College admitted 74% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (B+) and SAT 1185-1380 / ACT 27-30. Purchase College 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

Purchase College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

74%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for SUNY at Purchase College

Acceptance Rate

The Purchase College acceptance rate is 74%. Last year, 5,809 of 7,845 applicants were admitted. That is the 85th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Purchase College 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.

SUNY at Purchase College typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.37. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Purchase College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.37

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.37

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Purchase College typically have around a 3.37 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Purchase College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #66 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 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 SUNY at Purchase College freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 12.8% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.8% Good
3.50 to 3.74 17.9% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 16.7% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 15.8% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 20.2% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.2% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.6% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Purchase College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1185-1380

Freshmen who sent SAT

46%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 620
  • Math 565
  • Composite 1185
SAT 25th percentile scores for SUNY at Purchase College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 710
  • Math 670
  • Composite 1380
SAT 75th percentile scores for SUNY at Purchase College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Purchase College typically score around a 1280 SAT (middle 50% 1185–1380) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 86th percentile nationally. Purchase College ranks #32 in the state of New York and #226 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1185 to 1380

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Purchase College 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 1280 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 SUNY at Purchase College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1380+ Above 75th >84%
1280 to 1380 Avg + 74%-84%
1185 to 1280 Avg - 60%-74%
Below 1185 Below mid-50 <60%

What do these figures mean?

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

Purchase College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

27-30

Freshmen reporting ACT

14%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 31
  • Math 21
  • Composite 27
ACT 25th percentile scores for SUNY at Purchase College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 27
  • Composite 30
ACT 75th percentile scores for SUNY at Purchase College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Purchase College typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 27–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Purchase College places #36 among colleges in New York and #238 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 30

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Purchase College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 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 SUNY at Purchase College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
30+ Above 75th >87%
28 to 30 Avg + 74%-87%
27 to 28 Avg - 65%-74%
Below 27 Below mid-50 <65%

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 Purchase College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

SUNY at Purchase College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,950 2,882 7,845
Accepted 3,771 2,027 5,809
Acceptance Rate 76% 70% 74%
Enrolled 450 300 750
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 12% 15% 13%

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

Application Requirements

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

SUNY at Purchase College 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

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

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

304

Applicants have 304 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to SUNY at Purchase College is $50.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at SUNY at Purchase College
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

Purchase College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 74% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1185-1380); 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 SUNY at Purchase College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=196219.

GPA calculator: SUNY at Purchase College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026