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#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

Carlow University Admission Requirements

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Carlow University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

92.7%
Admission Difficulty for Carlow University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Carlow University is 92.7%.  Its admission rate is the 97th lowest in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

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

Carlow 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, 1,042 out of the 1,124 who applied were admitted.

Carlow University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. 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 Carlow University?

93% 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 Carlow University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.6 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 980 on the SAT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Carlow University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.6

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Carlow University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Carlow University are to have around a 3.6 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.6 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Carlow University accepts 93% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Carlow University is 3.6 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 #26 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Carlow University 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 3.6 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 Carlow University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.89% Good
3.75 to 3.99 23.76% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 23.2% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.71% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 8.29% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.18% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.97% 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 

Carlow University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Carlow University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 3% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

850-1100

Applicants Submitting SAT 

3%
SAT Scores for Carlow University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 410
Math 25th Percentile 440
Composite 25th Percentile 850
SAT Scores for Carlow University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 520
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1100
Average SAT Score 980

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Carlow University is 980 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 850-1100. Students who get into Carlow University score in the top 85 percent of all SAT test takers..  Carlow University ranks #102 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 980 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Carlow University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 850 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 850, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 720, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Carlow 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 980 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 975, you have around a 93% chance of being admitted. A 1100 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Carlow University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1100 and Above Good >96%
975 to 1100 Avg + 93%-96%
850 to 975 Avg - 87%-93%
725 to 850 Reach 79%-87%
Less than 725 Low <79%
Calculate My Chances 

Carlow University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Carlow University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Carlow University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

High School Class Rank

52% of Carlow University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 32% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Carlow University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 12%
Top 25% of class 32%
Top 50% of class 52%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Carlow University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 899 225 1,124
Accepted 842 200 1,042
Acceptance Rate 94% 89% 93%
Enrolled 155 44 199
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 22% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Carlow 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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Carlow University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Carlow University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=211431 IPEDS survey data for Carlow University.

Last updated February 24, 2024