Hillsdale College: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Hillsdale College is an independent liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 37%. Located in Hillsdale, Michigan and founded by abolitionists in 1844, Hillsdale was the first American college to prohibit discrimination in its charter. Hillsdale accepts no federal or state funding. The college has a 9-to-1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 15. Students can choose from 45 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs, including engineering, law, and veterinary medicine. Hillsdale also offers a graduate program in political philosophy and American politics through The Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. The Hillsdale Chargers compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Considering applying to Hillsdale College? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Hillsdale College had an acceptance rate of 37%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 37 students were admitted, making Hillsdale's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Hillsdale requires that all applicants submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 34% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Hillsdale's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Hillsdale scored between 655 and 740, while 25% scored below 655 and 25% scored above 740. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 620 and 725, while 25% scored below 620 and 25% scored above 725. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1460 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Hillsdale College.

Requirements

Hillsdale College does not require the optional SAT essay section. Note that Hillsdale does not superscore SAT results; your highest composite SAT score from a single test date will be considered.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Hillsdale College requires that all applicants submit SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 69% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Hillsdale's admitted students fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Hillsdale received a composite ACT score between 29 and 33, while 25% scored above 33 and 25% scored below 29.

Requirements

Note that Hillsdale does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Hillsdale does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of Hillsdale College's incoming freshmen class had weighted high school GPAs between 3.89 and 4.0. 25% had a GPA above 4.0, and 25% had a GPA below 3.89. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Hillsdale College have primarily A grades.

Admissions Chances

Hillsdale College has a competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores. However, Hillsdale has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. While not required, Hillsdale College strongly recommends interviews for interested applicants, particularly for those who wish to be considered for scholarships. Students with compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and test scores are outside Hillsdale's average range.

If You Like Hillsdale College, You May Also Like These Schools

• Kalamazoo College
• Western Michigan University
• Purdue University
• Bowling Green State University
• Ohio University
• Ball State University
• University of Toledo

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Hillsdale College Undergraduate Admissions Office.