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#23 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

DeSales University Admission Requirements

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into DeSales University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.6%
Admission Difficulty for DeSales University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at DeSales University is 78.6%.  Its admission rate is the 54th lowest in Pennsylvania.

Admission Selectivity

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

DeSales 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, 2,857 out of the 3,636 who applied were admitted.

DeSales University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.39. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into DeSales University?

79% 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 DeSales University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.39 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1190 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

DeSales University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.39

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into DeSales University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into DeSales University are to have around a 3.39 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.39 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as DeSales University accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at DeSales University is 3.39 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 #71 in Pennsylvania for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since DeSales 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 3.4 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 DeSales University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 4.7% Good
3.75 to 3.99 29.5% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.7% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.7% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 14.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 5.5% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.6% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

DeSales University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to DeSales University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 37% of students submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

37%
SAT Scores for DeSales University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for DeSales University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 640
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at DeSales University is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1290. Students who get into DeSales University score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  DeSales University ranks #34 in the state of Pennsylvania for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. DeSales University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 990, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

DeSales 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 1190 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1190, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

DeSales University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >88%
1190 to 1290 Avg + 79%-88%
1090 to 1190 Avg - 66%-79%
990 to 1090 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 990 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

DeSales University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

24-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

3%
ACT Scores for DeSales University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 24
ACT Scores for DeSales University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into DeSales University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to DeSales University is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 28.  The school ranks #28 in Pennsylvania for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

3 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to DeSales University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as DeSales University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into DeSales University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 28 ACT score.

DeSales University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >88%
26 to 28 Avg + 79%-88%
24 to 26 Avg - 66%-79%
22 to 24 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 22 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

59% of DeSales University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 25% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted DeSales University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24.8%
Top 25% of class 59.4%
Top 50% of class 82%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

DeSales University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,379 1,256 3,636
Accepted 1,912 944 2,857
Acceptance Rate 80% 75% 79%
Enrolled 285 158 444
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

132

Applicants have 132 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

DeSales 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 Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because DeSales University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.39 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1190 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to DeSales University often consider these colleges