Houghton College Admissions

Houghton College Admissions Overview:

Houghton College has an encouraging acceptance rate of 79%—the vast majority of those who apply are admitted to the school. That said, you will need grades and standardized test scores that are at least average. To apply, students will need to submit an application, along with high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and scores from the SAT or ACT.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Houghton College Acceptance Rate: 79%
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 480 / 630
  • SAT Math: 483 / 610
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
  • ACT Composite: 21 / 28
  • ACT English: 20 / 27
  • ACT Math: 20 / 27
    • What these ACT numbers mean

Houghton College Description:

Houghton College is a four-year, private college located in Houghton, NY, in that state's Southern Tier. Founded in 1883 as a seminary, Houghton is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. While titled as a "college," Houghton offers a few graduate degrees--students can earn an MA or an MMA in Music, for example. For undergraduates, Houghton offers a range of degrees, including Theology, Psychology, Biology, English, History, and much more. First-year students have the opportunity to apply for an honors program; there are three distinct programs that provide a variety of travel and learning experiences. Students can study in London for a semester, develop a science-based research project, or study politics and history by exploring the Mediterranean. Houghton also hosts a range of extracurricular activies, with over 15 clubs and organizations. In athletics, the Houghton Highlanders compete in the NCAA Division III Empire 8 conference. The college fields 16 teams, including soccer, basketball, track, lacrosse, and tennis.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 1,059 (1,043 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 37% Male / 63% Female
• 96% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $30,336
• Books: $1,000 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $8,754
• Other Expenses: $2,850
• Total Cost: $42,940

Houghton College Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 100%
  • Loans: 83%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $19,342
  • Loans: $7,706

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Business Administration, Elementary Education, Music, Psychology, Religion Studies, Communications, Biology, Physics

Transfer, Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 86%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 61%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 71%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

• Men's Sports: Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Baseball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball
• Women's Sports: Field Hockey, Volleyball, Softball, Track and Field, Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Cross Country

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

Eastern and the Common Application

Eastern University uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you:

• Common Application essay tips and samples
• Short answer tips and samples
• Supplemental essay tips and samples

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