Arcadia University Acceptance Rate
Glenside, Pennsylvania · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 6,688
- Admitted
- 5,296
- Yield
- 7.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Arcadia University's acceptance rate has risen from 58.8% in 2014–15 to 79.2% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 9,634 to 6,688 (-31%) over that period.
Its 79.2% rate makes Arcadia University more selective than about 44% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 108 tracked Pennsylvania schools, it is more selective than about 51%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (82.5% for women vs 72.8% for men, a 9.7-point gap). Arcadia University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 7.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 9,634 | 5,665 | 58.8% | 674 |
| 2015–16 | 9,641 | 5,713 | 59.3% | 602 |
| 2016–17 | 8,984 | 5,684 | 63.3% | 606 |
| 2017–18 | 8,931 | 5,563 | 62.3% | 569 |
| 2018–19 | 9,243 | 5,930 | 64.2% | 479 |
| 2019–20 | 10,216 | 6,709 | 65.7% | 530 |
| 2020–21 | 8,884 | 6,541 | 73.6% | 478 |
| 2021–22 | 5,636 | 4,645 | 82.4% | 390 |
| 2022–23 | 6,321 | 4,903 | 77.6% | 489 |
| 2023–24 | 6,688 | 5,296 | 79.2% | 420 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,380 | 3,615 | 82.5% |
| Men | 2,282 | 1,661 | 72.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 553–650 | 12% |
| SAT Math | 530–660 | |
| ACT Composite | 26–30 | 2% |
How Arcadia University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Arcadia University's acceptance rate?
Arcadia University's acceptance rate is 79.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (5,296 admitted of 6,688 applicants).
Is Arcadia University test optional?
Arcadia University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Arcadia University?
Arcadia University received 6,688 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 5,296.
What SAT score do you need for Arcadia University?
Admitted students at Arcadia University typically scored 553–650 on SAT Reading/Writing and 530–660 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Arcadia University getting harder to get into?
Arcadia University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 58.8% in 2014–15 to 79.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.arcadia.edu/.