Vassar Admission Requirements

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Vassar Admission Overview

Vassar admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in New York. Last year Vassar admitted 18.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1450-1550 / ACT 33-35. Vassar 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

Vassar Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

18.6%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Vassar College

Acceptance Rate

The Vassar acceptance rate is 18.6%. Last year, only 2,311 of 12,447 applicants were admitted. That is the 10th lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 70th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Vassar is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Vassar GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.86*

Typical High School Grades

A

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.86*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Vassar has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.86 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.86 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Vassar is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.86 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Vassar Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Vassar College is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required. If you want scores considered, declare that on the applicant status portal by November 22 for Early Decision I and by January 8 for Regular Decision and Early Decision II. Vassar accepts self-reported SAT and ACT scores and superscores by using your highest section results if you tested more than once. Enrolling students who self-reported scores must send official reports in the spring.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.vassar.edu/admission/apply/requirements

Vassar SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1450-1550

Freshmen who sent SAT

31%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 730
  • Math 720
  • Composite 1450
SAT 25th percentile scores for Vassar College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 770
  • Math 780
  • Composite 1550
SAT 75th percentile scores for Vassar College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Vassar typically score around a 1500 SAT (middle 50% 1450–1550) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Vassar ranks #7 in the state of New York and #40 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1450 to 1550

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1450–1550 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Vassar 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 1500 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 Vassar College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1550+ Above 75th >31%
1500 to 1550 Avg + 19%-31%
1450 to 1500 Avg - 11%-19%
Below 1450 Below mid-50 <11%

What do these figures mean?

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

Vassar ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

33-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

12%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 33
ACT 25th percentile scores for Vassar College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite 35
ACT 75th percentile scores for Vassar College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Vassar typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Vassar places #5 among colleges in New York and #28 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 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 Vassar College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
35+ Above 75th >31%
34 to 35 Avg + 19%-31%
33 to 34 Avg - 11%-19%
Below 33 Below mid-50 <11%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

79% of Vassar College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Vassar College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 79%
Top 25% of class 95%
Top 50% of class 97%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

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 Vassar chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Vassar College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,147 4,283 12,447
Accepted 1,433 874 2,311
Acceptance Rate 18% 20% 19%
Enrolled 411 251 665
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 29% 29%

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

Application Requirements

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

Vassar 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 Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Vassar College is $65.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Vassar College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

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

Admission summary

Vassar is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 18.6% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1450-1550); 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 Vassar College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=197133.

GPA calculator: Vassar College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026