Ramapo College admits 73.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, offering more accessible admission than highly competitive schools while maintaining academic standards. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates Ramapo College is somewhat more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, accepting 11.4 percentage points fewer applicants than the average peer. This level of selectivity means qualified students with solid academic credentials have reasonable admission prospects, though the institution does maintain standards that distinguish it from open-access colleges. Students should expect some competition in the admission process, particularly for popular programs like nursing and business. For most applicants with appropriate academic preparation, Ramapo College represents an attainable admission target that balances accessibility with academic quality. The institution's moderate selectivity allows students to build college lists that include both more and less competitive options while treating Ramapo as a solid match school for appropriately qualified candidates.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Ramapo College typically demonstrate strong academic preparation with SAT scores ranging from 1120 to 1270, representing the middle 50% of enrolled students. The median SAT score of 1190 reflects solid academic achievement, with math scores typically falling between 560-630 and verbal scores between 560-640. ACT scores for enrolled students range from 21 to 26, with a median of 26. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1090, Ramapo College enrolls students scoring 100 points higher on average, indicating stronger academic preparation than typical for similar public colleges. These score ranges demonstrate that most admitted students perform well above average on standardized tests, with SAT performance ranking in the top-tier category nationally. Students scoring within the 1120-1270 SAT range or 21-26 ACT range align well with the academic profile of enrolled students. However, scores outside these ranges don't automatically disqualify candidates, as the ranges represent the middle half rather than absolute cutoffs. Applicants should consider whether their academic credentials align with this profile when assessing fit and building balanced college lists that include institutions with varying selectivity levels.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Ramapo College enrolls a moderately diverse student body that reflects both traditional college students and those from underrepresented backgrounds. The institution serves 26.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating more than one-quarter of enrolled students come from lower-income families. First-generation college students comprise 31.3% of enrollment, demonstrating significant representation of students whose parents did not complete four-year degrees. Transfer students represent 27.0% of the student body, indicating substantial opportunities for community college graduates and students changing institutions. This composition suggests Ramapo College prioritizes accessible education while maintaining selective academic standards. The combination of moderate Pell and first-generation representation alongside strong academic profiles indicates the institution attracts both traditional high-achieving students and those seeking educational mobility. Geographic diversity likely reflects the institution's regional appeal within New Jersey and surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. First-generation students should recognize that nearly one-third of enrolled students share their background, creating a supportive environment for navigating college successfully. Students from various economic backgrounds can expect to find peers with similar experiences and challenges.
With Ramapo College's 73.2% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students have reasonable admission prospects. However, students seeking additional options should consider these alternatives with similar outcomes.
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Students who enroll at Ramapo College demonstrate strong retention and completion outcomes, with 87.1% of freshmen returning for sophomore year compared to a peer median of 73.2%. This 13.9 percentage point advantage indicates significantly stronger institutional support and student engagement than typical for similar colleges. The six-year graduation rate reaches 71.9%, substantially exceeding the peer median of 49.3% by 22.6 percentage points. Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 60.5%, creating an 11.4 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. While this gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, both the overall graduation rate and Pell completion rate significantly exceed national averages and peer comparisons. The retention and completion data suggest that students who gain admission and enroll can expect strong institutional support for degree completion. Lower-income students should consider the Pell completion gap when evaluating institutional fit, though the 60.5% rate still represents above-average outcomes. Prospective students should view these metrics as indicators of the academic environment and support systems they'll experience, with clear evidence that most enrolled students successfully complete their degrees.
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