Morgan State University maintains an open access admission policy, accepting approximately 83% of applicants. This places the institution within the "Open Access" selectivity tier, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 applicants receive admission offers. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that Morgan State's selectivity aligns closely with similar public institutions serving diverse student populations. This level of accessibility means that students with varied academic backgrounds can gain admission, though success depends on meeting basic academic preparation requirements. For most applicants, admission to Morgan State represents a realistic goal rather than a competitive reach. The open access model reflects the institution's mission to provide educational opportunity to students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. Students should focus on academic preparation and degree completion rather than admission strategy, as the primary challenge lies in successfully navigating college-level coursework once enrolled. The relatively high acceptance rate allows students to build college lists that include Morgan State as a reliable option while exploring other institutions that match their academic and career interests.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Morgan State typically score between 860 and 1,080 on the SAT, with a median of 984. Math scores range from 450 to 550, while verbal scores span from 410 to 530. ACT scores range from 17 to 21, with a median of 18. These ranges represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% score below and 25% score above these benchmarks. Students scoring below the 25th percentile can still gain admission but should expect to invest in academic support services once enrolled. The SAT range places Morgan State well above average nationally, ranking at the 85th percentile, which indicates that despite open admission policies, the institution enrolls academically prepared students. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1,090, Morgan State students score 106 points lower, reflecting the institution's commitment to serving students across a broader academic spectrum. ACT performance ranks at the 86th percentile nationally, with peer institutions averaging 22 compared to Morgan State's 18. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, particularly regarding readiness for college-level mathematics and writing coursework.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Morgan State University enrolls a diverse student body that reflects its commitment to educational accessibility and social mobility. The institution serves 54.4% Pell-eligible students, indicating more than half the student body comes from lower-income families. First-generation college students comprise 33.1% of enrollment, demonstrating the university's role in expanding higher education access to families without prior college experience. Transfer students represent 13.9% of the student body, providing pathways for students beginning their higher education journey at community colleges. This composition suggests that Morgan State prioritizes serving students who might face barriers at more selective institutions, including those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and families new to higher education. The high Pell share indicates robust financial aid programming that makes attendance feasible for lower-income students. Students from these backgrounds should recognize that more than half their peers will share similar economic circumstances, creating a supportive environment for navigating college as first-generation or lower-income students. The substantial first-generation enrollment means the institution has experience supporting students whose families may be unfamiliar with college processes and expectations.
Morgan State's 83% acceptance rate makes admission accessible for most qualified applicants, though students should still build balanced college lists with multiple options.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Morgan State University demonstrates mixed outcomes in student retention and completion, with 70.8% of freshmen returning for sophomore year compared to a peer median of 73.2%. The six-year graduation rate reaches 41.6%, below the peer median of 49.3%. However, Pell-eligible students graduate at 44.3%, creating a positive 2.7 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This reverse gap is notable, as Pell students typically face additional financial and academic challenges that can impede degree completion. The higher Pell completion rate suggests that Morgan State's support systems effectively serve lower-income students, potentially through targeted financial aid, academic support, or mentoring programs. Students who gain admission should expect that persistence and engagement with campus resources will be essential for degree completion. The retention rate indicates that approximately 3 out of 10 students do not return after freshman year, highlighting the importance of academic preparation and utilization of support services. Prospective students should view the positive Pell gap as an indicator that the institution prioritizes support for students from lower-income backgrounds, while recognizing that overall completion rates require dedicated effort and engagement with available resources.
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