A breakdown of N.C. private college admissions statistics
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Queens University is the latest college to make standardized testing scores optional for undergraduate applicants.
(Full disclosure: Michael Trivette is a co-founder of College Transitions, a Charlotte-based team of college planning experts committed to guiding families through the college admissions process.)
College Transitions recently compiled admission statistics on popular four-year private institutions in North Carolina for the most recent academic year. This information is provided to assist students and parents navigating the college search and application process. For additional college admissions-related data and information, please visit our dataverse.
Admissions data and other relevant information were collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), institutional websites, and the College Board. The private institutions that are featured below are listed by alphabetical order.
Belmont Abbey College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,560
- Freshman class size: 291
- 4-year grad rate: 33%
- 5-year grad rate: 38%
- 6-year grad rate: 43%
- Freshman retention rate: 63%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 1,950
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.09
- *SAT Math average: 483
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 486
- *ACT Composite average: 21
- Class rank top tenth: 5%
- Class rank top quarter: 15%
*Belmont Abbey College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
Brevard College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 705
- Freshman class size: 218
- 4-year grad rate: 36%
- 5-year grad rate: 40%
- 6-year grad rate: 43%
- Freshmen retention rate: 59%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Brevard website, CFNC
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Minimal
- Total applicants: 2,858
- Acceptance rate: 43%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.07
- *SAT Math average: 483
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 507
- *ACT Composite average: 20
- Class rank top tenth: 6%
- Class rank top quarter: 24%
*Brevard College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Class rank
- Interview
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
Campbell University
Type of school: Medium-sized private university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 4,296
- Freshman class size: 871
- 4-year grad rate: 34%
- 5-year grad rate: 45%
- 6-year grad rate: 47%
- Freshmen retention rate: 72%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Campbell website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 6,770
- Acceptance rate: 68%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.4
- SAT Math average: 545
- SAT Critical Reading average: 541
- ACT Composite average: N/A
- Class rank top tenth: N/A
- Class rank top quarter: N/A
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Interview
- Particular talent/ability
Catawba College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,293
- Freshman class size: 344
- 4-year grad rate: 45%
- 5-year grad rate: 52%
- 6-year grad rate: 52%
- Freshmen retention rate: 73%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Catawba website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 3,694
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 2.82
- *SAT Math average: 483
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 487
- *ACT Composite average: 21
- Class rank top tenth: 10%
- Class rank top quarter: 36%
*Catawba College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests (Note: Catawba College is test-optional)
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation to attend college
- State residency
- Geographic residence
- Alumni relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Ethnicity
Davidson College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,770
- Freshman class size: 502
- 4-year grad rate: 91%
- 5-year grad rate: 93%
- 6-year grad rate: 93%
- Freshmen retention rate: 95%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Davidson website, Common Application, The Coalition Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: January 5
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Early Decision I deadline: November 15
- Early Decision II deadline: January 2
- Entrance difficulty: Very
- Total applicants: 5,560
- Acceptance rate: 22%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.9
- SAT Math average: 668
- SAT Critical Reading average: 663
- ACT Composite average: 30
- Class rank top tenth: 74%
- Class rank top quarter: 97%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Duke University
Type of school: Medium-sized university
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 6,626
- Freshman class size: 1,721
- 4-year grad rate: 87%
- 5-year grad rate: 93%
- 6-year grad rate: 95%
- Freshmen retention rate: 97%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Common Application, The Coalition Application, Universal College Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: January 3
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Early Decision deadline: November 1
- Entrance difficulty: Most
- Total applicants: 31,523
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): N/A
- SAT Math average: 760
- SAT Critical Reading average: 740
- ACT Composite average: 34
- Class rank top tenth: 91%
- Class rank top quarter: N/A
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Elon University
Type of school: Medium-sized university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 5,782
- Freshman class size: 1,496
- 4-year grad rate: 76%
- 5-year grad rate: 80%
- 6-year grad rate: 81%
- Freshmen retention rate: 91%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Elon website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: January 10
- Early Action deadline: November 10
- Early Decision: November 1
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 10,443
- Acceptance rate: 54%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.98
- SAT Math average: 612
- SAT Critical Reading average: 613
- ACT Composite average: 27
- Class rank top tenth: 25%
- Class rank top quarter: 62%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Alumni relation
- Work experience
Gardner-Webb University
Type of school: Medium-sized university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 2,710
- Freshman class size: 493
- 4-year grad rate: 37%
- 5-year grad rate: 51%
- 6-year grad rate: 52%
- Freshmen retention rate: 74%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Gardner-Webb website, CFNC, Universal College Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 3,355
- Acceptance rate: 67%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.72
- SAT Math average: 516
- SAT Critical Reading average: 503
- ACT Composite average: 22
- Class rank top tenth: 23%
- Class rank top quarter: 55%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
Guilford College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Certificate, Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 2,137
- Freshman class size: 351
- 4-year grad rate: 50%
- 5-year grad rate: 59%
- 6-year grad rate: 61%
- Freshmen retention rate: 74%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Common Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: December 1
- Early Decision: November 1
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 3,001
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.13
- *SAT Math average: 525
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 538
- *ACT Composite average: 23
- Class rank top tenth: 12%
- Class rank top quarter: 34%
*Guilford College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Interview
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Ethnicity
- Work experience
High Point University
Type of school: Medium-sized university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 4,208
- Freshman class size: 1,386
- 4-year grad rate: 59%
- 5-year grad rate: 63%
- 6-year grad rate: 63%
- Freshmen retention rate: 77%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Common Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: March 1
- Early Action deadline: November 15
- Early Decision I deadline: November 1
- Early Decision II deadline: February 1
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 7,410
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.23
- SAT Math average: 555
- SAT Critical Reading average: 547
- ACT Composite average: 24
- Class rank top tenth: 22%
- Class rank top quarter: 47%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Interview
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Work experience
Johnson C. Smith University
Type of school: Small university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,375
- Freshman class size: 265
- 4-year grad rate: 31%
- 5-year grad rate: 41%
- 6-year grad rate: 44%
- Freshmen retention rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): JCSU website, CFNC
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 3,801
- Acceptance rate: 42%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 2.7
- SAT Math average: 403
- SAT Critical Reading average: 410
- ACT Composite average: 17
- Class rank top tenth: 4%
- Class rank top quarter: 17%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Character/personal qualities
Johnson & Wales University
Type of school: Medium-sized university
Degrees available: Associate, Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 2,255
- Freshman class size: 610
- 4-year grad rate: 39%
- 5-year grad rate: 47%
- 6-year grad rate: 49%
- Freshmen retention rate: 74%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): JWU website, CFNC
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 4,685
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.19
- SAT Math average: N/A
- SAT Critical Reading average: N/A
- ACT Composite average: N/A
- Class rank top tenth: N/A
- Class rank top quarter: N/A
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Class rank
- Essay
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
Lees-McRae College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 940
- Freshman class size: 216
- 4-year grad rate: 30%
- 5-year grad rate: 38%
- 6-year grad rate: 38%
- Freshmen retention rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Lees-McRae website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Minimal
- Total applicants: 1,514
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.29
- *SAT Math average: 470
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 480
- *ACT Composite average: 21
- Class rank top tenth: 6%
- Class rank top quarter: 22%
*Lees-McRae College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Academic GPA
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Type of school: Small university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,524
- Freshman class size: 346
- 4-year grad rate: 41%
- 5-year grad rate: 52%
- 6-year grad rate: 54%
- Freshmen retention rate: 76%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Lenoir-Rhyne website
- Priority Decision deadline: October 15
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: November 13
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 4,488
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.63
- SAT Math average: 501
- SAT Critical Reading average: 487
- ACT Composite average: N/A
- Class rank top tenth: 16%
- Class rank top quarter: 39%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
Mars Hill University
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,418
- Freshman class size: 404
- 4-year grad rate: 29%
- 5-year grad rate: 35%
- 6-year grad rate: 37%
- Freshmen retention rate: 56%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Mars Hill website, CFNC
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 3,142
- Acceptance rate: 62%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.21
- SAT Math average: 473
- SAT Critical Reading average: 462
- ACT Composite average: 20
- Class rank top tenth: 8%
- Class rank top quarter: 27%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
Meredith College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Special designation: All female
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,645
- Freshman class size: 471
- 4-year grad rate: 49%
- 5-year grad rate: 61%
- 6-year grad rate: 62%
- Freshmen retention rate: 79%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Common Application
- Priority Decision deadline: February 15
- Regular Decision deadline: February 15
- Early Action deadline: December 1
- Early Decision: October 30
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 1,797
- Acceptance rate: 61%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale):
- SAT Math average: 505
- SAT Critical Reading average: 520
- ACT Composite average: 23
- Class rank top tenth: 18%
- Class rank top quarter: 46%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Essay
Pfeiffer University
Type of school: Small university and liberal arts college
Degrees available: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 958
- Freshman class size: 200
- 4-year grad rate: 25%
- 5-year grad rate: 33%
- 6-year grad rate: 35%
- Freshmen retention rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Pfeiffer website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 1,518
- Acceptance rate: 47%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.2
- SAT Math average: 479
- SAT Critical Reading average: 458
- ACT Composite average: 19
- Class rank top tenth: 9%
- Class rank top quarter: 31%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Queens University of Charlotte
Type of school: Small university
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,665
- Freshman class size: 287
- 4-year grad rate: 53%
- 5-year grad rate: 61%
- 6-year grad rate: 62%
- Freshmen retention rate: 73%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Common Application, Queens website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: March 1
- Early Action deadline: December 1
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 1,958
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.57
- SAT Math average: 523
- SAT Critical Reading average: 530
- ACT Composite average: 23
- Class rank top tenth: 16%
- Class rank top quarter: 46%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Extracurricular activities
- Volunteer work
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation to attend college
- Alumni relation
- Work experience
Wake Forest University
Type of school: Medium-sized university
Degrees available: Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 4,867
- Freshman class size: 1,287
- 4-year grad rate: 83%
- 5-year grad rate: 87%
- 6-year grad rate: 88%
- Freshmen retention rate: 93%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Common Application, Wake Forest website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: January 1
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Early Decision: November 15
- Entrance difficulty: Very
- Total applicants: 11,119
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): N/A
- *SAT Math average: 675
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 640
- *ACT Composite average: 30
- Class rank top tenth: 77%
- Class rank top quarter: 93%
*Wake Forest University is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Particular talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
Warren Wilson College
Type of school: Small liberal arts college
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Special designation: Work college
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 822
- Freshman class size: 234
- 4-year grad rate: 42%
- 5-year grad rate: 51%
- 6-year grad rate: 51%
- Freshmen retention rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): Common Application
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: November 1
- Early Decision deadline: November 15
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 1,176
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.6
- *SAT Math average: 535
- *SAT Critical Reading average: 586
- *ACT Composite average: 26
- Class rank top tenth: 28%
- Class rank top quarter: 52%
*Warren Wilson College is a test-optional institution and students are not required to submit test scores for admission.
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Recommendations
- Essay
- Level of applicant’s interest
- Volunteer work
- Character/personal qualities
- Work experience
Wingate University
Type of school: Medium-sized university
Degrees available: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Quick Facts
- Total undergrads: 1,952
- Freshman class size: 583
- 4-year grad rate: 42%
- 5-year grad rate: 48%
- 6-year grad rate: 51%
- Freshmen retention rate: 72%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Applying
- Application platform(s): CFNC, Wingate website
- Priority Decision deadline: N/A
- Regular Decision deadline: Rolling
- Early Action deadline: N/A
- Entrance difficulty: Moderate
- Total applicants: 6,601
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- GPA average of enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale): 3.34
- SAT Math average: 517
- SAT Critical Reading average: 502
- ACT Composite average: 22
- Class rank top tenth: 16%
- Class rank top quarter: 45%
Important Factors in the Admissions Process
- Rigor of student’s high school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized tests
- Class rank
- Recommendations