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Adelphi University

#558 in US ranking Garden City, NY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$61,893
Tuition & fees
$51,950
Avg. aid
$28,475
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
66%
SAT range
1120–1340
ACT range
24–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
67%
Median salary
$71,299
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Adelphi University?

Adelphi University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of a particular professional program.

Adelphi also identifies specialized accreditation for programs in areas including business, nursing, education, and social work. Because coverage can differ by degree and change over time, applicants entering a licensed profession should verify the exact program's current accreditor and whether its curriculum meets the rules of the state where they intend to practice.

Institutional accreditation is an important condition for participation in federal student aid programs. It can also matter when another college evaluates transfer credit, but it does not require that college to accept every course. Likewise, university accreditation alone does not confer a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Adelphi University?

First-year applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school transcript, and the supporting materials required for their applicant category. Adelphi is not an open-admission institution: its reported first-year admission rate was 66% for the referenced entering cohort.

Admissions reporting identifies the secondary-school record, GPA information, and recommendations as required considerations. Class rank and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum may be considered but are not universally required. Adelphi uses a test-optional approach for many undergraduate applicants, although a particular program or applicant circumstance may have different instructions. Among enrolled first-time students in the reported cohort, 22% submitted SAT scores; the median composite among score submitters was 1195. Because relatively few enrolled students submitted scores, that median is not a measure of the entire class.

Applicants should check the current application instructions for an essay or personal statement, recommendation count, and any program-specific materials. International applicants may need to document English proficiency, including through an accepted test or qualifying alternative. Nursing, performing arts, and other specialized pathways may have additional prerequisites, auditions, or review steps. Published deadlines and admission rounds can differ among first-year, transfer, international, and graduate applicants.

What are the application fees and waivers at Adelphi University?

Adelphi's reported undergraduate application fee is $50. Because fees and submission routes can change, applicants should check the amount displayed in their chosen application before submitting it; an enrollment deposit is a separate charge.

Students who qualify for an application-fee waiver should request it through the application's waiver process or ask Adelphi admissions how to document eligibility before paying. Common reasons for waiver eligibility can include financial need or participation in a qualifying college-access program, but the applicable criteria and approval process depend on the application route. Graduate and specialized-program applicants should check their own program instructions rather than assume the undergraduate fee applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Adelphi University?

Adelphi reports Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC opportunities through cooperating host institutions rather than units operated directly on its Garden City campus. Participation would therefore involve coordinating Adelphi coursework with the host program's classes, leadership activities, and travel requirements.

ROTC admission, scholarship selection, medical and physical standards, and eventual service commitments are governed by the relevant military program. An ROTC scholarship is not automatic upon enrolling at Adelphi, and students can face different obligations depending on the program and stage of participation. Interested applicants should confirm the current host arrangement and cross-registration procedures with Adelphi and the appropriate ROTC detachment before building a class schedule around it.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Adelphi University?

Adelphi accepts applications from students who have attended college elsewhere and generally considers credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer entry is reported for fall, spring, and summer, though course and program availability can vary by term.

Applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended and follow any instructions concerning high-school records or prior test results. Admission to Adelphi and acceptance of individual courses are separate decisions: credit evaluation considers factors such as the sending institution, course content, grades, and relevance to the Adelphi degree. Some majors, especially those with sequential clinical or professional courses, may have additional entry requirements or limits on how transferred coursework applies.

Adelphi also reports recognizing Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST, and certain American Council on Education credit recommendations under applicable policies. Students with substantial prior learning should request a program-specific transfer-credit review and ask how many credits must be completed at Adelphi. The useful comparison is not just total credits accepted, but how many remaining courses and semesters the intended major will require.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Adelphi University?

Adelphi offers international study options that can include semester-length study and shorter programs. The format, destinations, and academic partners available to a student depend on the term and program.

Before committing, students should obtain academic approval for the courses they expect to take abroad and determine how those credits will satisfy major, general-education, or elective requirements. Those in tightly sequenced programs should also ask whether time abroad affects clinical placements, internships, or graduation timing. Program charges, travel, insurance, and the treatment of institutional or federal aid may differ from a regular Garden City semester, making a program-specific budget essential.

Adelphi University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1120–1340
4001600
ACT range
24–30
136
Acceptance rate
66%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
66%
New York
72%
US
78%

10% of admitted students enrolled (1,343 of 12,987)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Adelphi University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 19,705
Admission
Total: 12,987
Enrolled
Total: 1,343
Women
Men

How to Apply to Adelphi University

Application fee

$50

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline December 1

Adelphi University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,206
Out-of-state: 84
International: 37

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,343
Transfer: 262

Adelphi University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1195

Median composite ACT score

26

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

22%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

No

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Adelphi University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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