Arcadia Admission Requirements

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Glenside, PA
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#41 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Arcadia Admission Overview

Arcadia admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Arcadia admitted 80.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (B+) and SAT 1065-1265. Arcadia 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

Arcadia Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

80.2%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Arcadia University

Acceptance Rate

The Arcadia acceptance rate is 80.2%. Last year, 8,153 of 10,163 applicants were admitted. That is the 56th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

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

Arcadia is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Arcadia University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 7% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Arcadia GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.42

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.42

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Arcadia typically have around a 3.42 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. Arcadia is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #57 in Pennsylvania 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 Arcadia University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 24.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 19.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Arcadia SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1065-1265

Freshmen who sent SAT

9%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 550
  • Math 515
  • Composite 1065
SAT 25th percentile scores for Arcadia University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 615
  • Composite 1265
SAT 75th percentile scores for Arcadia University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Arcadia typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1065–1265) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. Arcadia ranks #57 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1065 to 1265

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Arcadia 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 1170 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 Arcadia University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1265+ Above 75th >88%
1170 to 1265 Avg + 81%-88%
1065 to 1170 Avg - 68%-81%
Below 1065 Below mid-50 <68%

What do these figures mean?

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

Arcadia ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for Arcadia University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for Arcadia University

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

52% of Arcadia University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 18% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Arcadia University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 52%
Top 50% of class 81%

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 Arcadia chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Arcadia University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,587 3,422 10,163
Accepted 5,513 2,519 8,153
Acceptance Rate 84% 74% 80%
Enrolled 379 218 602
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 7% 9% 7%

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

Application Requirements

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

Arcadia University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
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

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Arcadia University is $30.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Arcadia University
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

Arcadia is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 80.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1065-1265); 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 Arcadia University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211088.

GPA calculator: Arcadia University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026