P
Private 4 Year

Principia College Admission Requirements

Elsah, Illinois

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Your chances of getting into Principia College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

47.8%
Admission Difficulty for Principia College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Principia College is 47.8%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in Illinois.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Principia College and can you get accepted?

Principia College is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 100 out of the 209 who applied were admitted.

Principia College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.34. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 61% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Principia College?

48% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Principia College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.34 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1140 on the SAT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Principia College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.34

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Principia College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Principia College are to have around a 3.34 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Principia College will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Principia College is 3.34 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #36 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Principia College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Principia College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Principia College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 20% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

970-1300

Applicants Submitting SAT 

20%
SAT Scores for Principia College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 475
Math 25th Percentile 495
Composite 25th Percentile 970
SAT Scores for Principia College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1300
Average SAT Score 1140

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Principia College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Principia College is 1140 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 970-1300. Students who get into Principia College score in the top 66 percent of all SAT test takers..  Principia College ranks #16 in the state of Illinois for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1140 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Principia College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 970 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 970, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 800, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Principia College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1140 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1135, you have around a 48% chance of being admitted. A 1300 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 64% chance of getting in.

Principia College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1300 and Above Good >64%
1135 to 1300 Avg + 48%-64%
970 to 1135 Avg - 33%-48%
805 to 970 Reach 20%-33%
Less than 805 Low <20%
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Principia College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Principia College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Principia College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

High School Class Rank

61% of Principia College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Principia College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 44%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 61%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Principia College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 92 116 209
Accepted 41 58 100
Acceptance Rate 45% 50% 48%
Enrolled 21 39 61
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 51% 67% 61%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Principia College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Principia College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Principia College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Principia College
AP Credit
Dual Credit
Credit for Life Experiences

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=148016 IPEDS survey data for Principia College.

FAQs

Does Principia College prefer SAT or ACT?

20% of students submit their SAT scores to Principia College. 5% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Principia College?

48% of those who apply are granted admission to Principia College. Admission competition is low and the college has challenging admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Principia College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 970 and 1300. The average SAT score is 1135. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.