
Franklin Pierce University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval attached to an individual professional program.
Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and is often considered when another college reviews transfer credit. It does not guarantee that credits will transfer: the receiving institution decides how they apply. Students entering nursing, education, or another licensed profession should also check the current program's accreditation or state approval and the requirements in the state where they intend to practice. University-wide accreditation alone does not establish eligibility for a professional license.
First-year applicants to Franklin Pierce generally need an application and a secondary-school academic record showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. The university considers high school GPA and college-preparatory coursework. Class rank, recommendations, and standardized test scores may be considered but are not generally required under the reported admissions criteria.
Admission is not open to everyone who applies: the reported first-year acceptance rate was 93%, with 2,218 applicants admitted from 2,373 applicants. An acceptance rate describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's chances. Only a small share of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores, so applicants should check the current test policy before paying for or sending scores.
Applicants educated outside the United States should check credential and English-proficiency requirements; reported criteria include a TOEFL requirement. Nursing and other specialized programs may have additional prerequisites or selection procedures. Application rounds and document deadlines should be checked for the intended entry term.
Applicants should check the fee displayed for their particular Franklin Pierce application route before submitting it. An application charge, if assessed, is separate from a tuition or enrollment deposit, and undergraduate, graduate, and professional applications may follow different procedures.
Students for whom a fee would be a hardship should ask admissions about a waiver before submission and confirm how to request it through their chosen application. A waiver should not be assumed to apply automatically to every program or application platform.
Franklin Pierce reports an Army ROTC opportunity through a cooperating host institution, rather than an Army ROTC unit based at the university. Students interested in participating need to establish where training occurs, how travel and scheduling work, and whether host-program courses count toward their Franklin Pierce degree.
ROTC participation, scholarship eligibility, and any eventual military service obligation depend on the host program and the student's status. Interested applicants should speak with the host Army ROTC program and Franklin Pierce's academic and financial aid offices before incorporating ROTC into a four-year plan. Participation in an ROTC class should not be confused with receiving an ROTC scholarship or contracting to serve.
Franklin Pierce accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer applicants should expect to provide official records of prior college study; whether a high school record is also needed can depend on the applicant's circumstances and current admissions rules.
Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions. A course may be accepted for credit without satisfying a particular major requirement, and professional programs can have additional prerequisite or grade rules. The university also reports accepting certain CLEP and DSST examinations and awarding credit for some prior learning. Applicants should request a course-by-course evaluation and a degree plan showing how approved credits apply before deciding how much time remains to graduation.
Transfer students should also verify the minimum number of credits that must be completed through Franklin Pierce and whether their desired major permits spring entry on the same timetable as fall entry.
Students interested in studying abroad should begin with Franklin Pierce's current international education options and academic approval process. The important distinction is whether an opportunity is run by the university, organized with a partner, or arranged through an outside provider; those routes can have different academic calendars, fees, and support arrangements.
Before committing to a semester or short-term program, students should confirm which courses will meet major or general education requirements and obtain approval for credit. They should also ask how their financial aid applies, what travel and insurance costs are excluded from the program price, and whether clinical, athletic, or tightly sequenced degree requirements limit the best time to go abroad.
13% of admitted students enrolled (292 of 2,218)
Early Decision
NoPercent of students submitting ACT scores
1%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
9%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal demonstration of competencies
Considered but not requiredAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Considered but not requiredOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation 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, SpringData 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.