
Ithaca College holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is different from approval or accreditation of a particular professional program.
The School of Business also holds accreditation from AACSB International. Students considering a field that leads to licensure or certification - such as teaching or a health profession - should check the current program's specialized accreditation and the rules of the state where they intend to practice. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but it does not by itself guarantee that another college will accept a course in transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.
First-year applicants to Ithaca College generally submit an application, a secondary-school transcript, and recommendations. The college reviews academic preparation rather than operating an open-admission policy. Its reported admissions criteria include the secondary-school record and GPA; class rank may be considered when available.
Ithaca has used a test-optional approach for undergraduate admission, so applicants should check the policy for their intended entry term and program rather than assume an SAT or ACT score is required. In the reported entering cohort, about 22% submitted SAT scores and about 5% submitted ACT scores. Applicants whose schooling was outside the United States or whose primary language is not English should review the college's English-proficiency and credential instructions. Music, theatre, dance, and other selective programs may add an audition, interview, or portfolio.
Recent admissions figures show roughly 12,400 first-year applicants and 8,557 admits, an acceptance rate of about 69%. That institution-wide rate does not describe the odds for every major. Early and regular application options have different deadlines, so applicants should verify the calendar for their entry year.
The reported undergraduate application fee for Ithaca College is $60. An application fee is separate from any enrollment deposit paid after admission.
Applicants for whom the fee presents a financial hardship should review the fee-waiver options in the application and Ithaca's admissions instructions. A waiver generally needs to be requested as part of the application process, before paying and submitting; applicants should not assume a paid fee can be refunded. Graduate and specialized applications may follow different procedures, so the relevant program's instructions take precedence over the general undergraduate figure.
Ithaca College students may pursue Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC through arrangements with a cooperating host institution rather than through an Ithaca-operated unit. Cornell University hosts ROTC programs in Ithaca, so participation can require travel to activities outside the Ithaca College campus.
ROTC is an officer-training path with academic, physical, and scheduling requirements. Scholarships are competitive, and commissioning normally carries a military service obligation; joining a class is not the same as receiving a scholarship or signing a service contract. Students should confirm cross-enrollment eligibility, transportation, course credit, and current branch arrangements with the host ROTC unit and Ithaca College before building ROTC into a degree plan.
Ithaca College accepts transfer applications for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer admission and acceptance of individual courses are separate decisions: a student can be admitted without every prior course satisfying a degree requirement.
Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from all colleges attended and follow any instructions concerning secondary-school records, recommendations, or program-specific materials. Reported credit policies also include consideration of AP, CLEP, DSST/DANTES, and certain ACE-recommended learning, subject to college rules. A course's transferability does not establish that it will count toward a particular major.
Students with substantial prior coursework should request a written evaluation showing how credits apply to the intended degree, especially for sequenced programs. They should also confirm current application deadlines, minimum grade rules, and how much coursework must be completed at Ithaca to graduate.
Ithaca College offers international study options that include its London Center as well as other approved programs and shorter experiences. The London Center is a college-operated option; partner and third-party programs may have different academic calendars, costs, and support arrangements.
Students should seek academic approval before enrolling abroad so that courses count as intended toward their major, general education requirements, or electives. For programs involving internships or performances, placement conditions may also matter. Financial aid, housing charges, travel costs, and scholarships can differ by program, so comparing the full program budget - not just tuition - is essential.
12% of admitted students enrolled (1,050 of 8,557)
Regular application deadline
February 1Application fee
$60Early Decision
Yes, deadline November 1Early Action
Yes, deadline December 1Percent of students submitting ACT scores
4.6%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
22.2%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
NoSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
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.)
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 at a cooperating host institutionROTC-Air Force
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.