Saint Peter's University admits 90.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Saint Peter's University in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%. The peer median admission rate of 75.6% indicates that Saint Peter's University is more accessible than many similar private nonprofit institutions. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, including working-class families and first-generation college students. For prospective students, this selectivity level means that admission is likely for students who meet basic academic requirements and demonstrate college readiness. However, students should still submit strong applications that highlight their academic preparation and career goals. The open access approach allows Saint Peter's University to serve as an accessible pathway to higher education for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. When building a college list, students can treat Saint Peter's University as a likely admission option while also considering program fit, cost, and career outcomes in their decision-making process.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Saint Peter's University enrolls 54.2% Pell-eligible students and 48.0% first-generation students, indicating the university serves a predominantly working-class student population. These shares are significantly higher than typical private nonprofit institutions, reflecting Saint Peter's University's commitment to economic diversity and educational access. The university also enrolls 41.3% transfer students, demonstrating strong pathways for community college graduates and students seeking to change their academic direction. This student composition suggests that Saint Peter's University prioritizes enrollment of students who may face financial constraints or lack family experience with higher education. The high proportion of Pell-eligible students indicates that many enrolled students come from families earning less than $50,000 annually. Similarly, the substantial first-generation student population means that nearly half of enrolled students are navigating college as the first in their families to pursue higher education. For prospective students from lower-income backgrounds, the 54.2% Pell share demonstrates that they will find peers with similar economic circumstances. First-generation students should find substantial support systems given that 48% of their classmates share this background. Transfer applicants should note the significant 41.3% transfer enrollment, suggesting established pathways and support services for students transitioning from other institutions.
Given Saint Peter's University's 90.5% acceptance rate, most qualified applicants should expect admission. However, students seeking alternatives for program variety, cost, or location may consider these options.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
71.6% of Saint Peter's University freshmen return for sophomore year, and 63.1% graduate within six years. These retention and completion rates fall below the peer medians of 74.0% for retention and 54.9% for completion, indicating mixed results in student persistence. Pell-eligible students graduate at 51.3%, compared to the overall completion rate of 63.1%, creating an 11.8 percentage point gap between Pell and non-Pell students. This gap suggests that lower-income students face additional challenges in degree completion, though more than half still achieve graduation. The retention rate of 71.6% indicates that most students who enroll find the academic and social environment supportive enough to continue beyond their first year. However, the completion rate indicates that persistence through degree completion remains challenging for a significant portion of students. The Pell completion gap of 11.8 percentage points, while concerning, is not uncommon among institutions serving high proportions of lower-income students who may face financial pressures, work obligations, or family responsibilities that complicate degree completion. Students who gain admission should expect to find academic support services and should plan to actively engage with retention programs. Lower-income students should particularly seek out financial aid counseling and academic support resources to navigate the challenges reflected in the completion gap data.
Similar quality tier in Northeast (#407 ranked)
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