

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole against the accreditor's standards; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual professional program.
MSCHE accreditation is relevant to the university's eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs. It can also matter when students seek to transfer credit or enter graduate study, although another institution decides which credits it will accept. In licensed fields, institutional accreditation alone may not satisfy every professional requirement. For example, applicants to nursing or educator-preparation programs should confirm the current approval or programmatic accreditation of the exact degree pathway and the rules in the state where they expect to seek a license.
First-year applicants to ESU generally submit an application and a secondary-school record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED. Academic coursework and grades are part of the review. The university does not have an open-admission policy, even though its reported admission rate is relatively high.
SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted but are not generally required. Only about 5.5% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores in the reported admissions data, so a score from that small group is not a reliable description of the entire entering class. Recommendations are not generally required. Applicants educated outside the United States may need to document English-language proficiency, and certain majors may have additional admission or progression requirements.
ESU admitted 7,321 of 7,953 first-time applicants in the reported cycle, an acceptance rate of about 92%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an assurance of admission. Applicants should check the admissions office's current term-specific instructions before submitting records, especially if they are applying as international, graduate or program-specific candidates.
ESU's reported undergraduate application fee is $25. An application fee pays for processing an application; it is separate from tuition, housing charges and any deposit requested after admission.
Applicants who cannot afford the fee should check the admissions application for a fee-waiver option or ask the admissions office about eligibility before submitting payment. Waiver rules and fees can differ for graduate programs or particular application routes. A student should use the charge displayed for their applicant category rather than assume that the undergraduate amount applies to every program.
Army ROTC is available on ESU's campus. Air Force ROTC is listed as available through a cooperating host institution, which means participation may require travel, cross-enrollment or scheduling across campuses rather than attendance at an ESU-operated Air Force unit.
ROTC participation is not the same as receiving an ROTC scholarship. Scholarship selection, fitness and citizenship standards, required coursework and eventual service obligations depend on the branch and the student's contract. Students considering either route should confirm where training takes place, whether its timetable fits their major and which financial commitments or military obligations would apply before enrolling.
ESU accepts transfer applicants and generally considers coursework from other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available for fall, spring and summer, but admission to the university does not mean every prior course will satisfy a requirement in the chosen major.
Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from each college attended. High school records or additional materials may be needed depending on the applicant's background and program. ESU also reports accepting certain examination and evaluated-learning credits, including CLEP, DSST and credit evaluated under American Council on Education recommendations; how those credits apply to a particular degree requires review.
Before committing to a transfer plan, students can compare completed courses with ESU's transfer-equivalency and articulation information and request an official evaluation. The key questions are not only how many credits transfer, but which ones meet general education, major and prerequisite requirements and how many credits must be completed at ESU.
ESU students can explore international study through the university's study-abroad advising and approved programs. Depending on the opportunity, study may take place during a semester, summer or shorter faculty-led experience; the available destinations and formats can change.
Students should obtain academic approval before paying a program provider or booking travel. A course taken abroad may earn credit without necessarily replacing a required course in a major, so written guidance from an academic adviser matters. Costs can also differ substantially from a normal semester at ESU. Students receiving grants, loans or scholarships should ask financial aid staff which awards can be used for the specific approved program and whether additional application deadlines apply.
19% of admitted students enrolled (1,387 of 7,321)
Application fee
$25Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1055Median composite ACT score
23Percent of students submitting SAT scores
5.5%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
RequiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 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.