


Lindenwood University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval granted to an individual academic program.
Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when students seek to transfer credits or pursue further study. It does not require another college to accept every Lindenwood course. Applicants in fields leading to licensure - particularly education or health professions - should also check the current program's specialized accreditation, state approval, and requirements in the state where they intend to work. Institutional accreditation alone does not establish eligibility for every professional license.
First-year applicants generally submit Lindenwood's undergraduate application and evidence of high school graduation or an accepted equivalency. Academic performance matters: the university's reported admissions criteria require a secondary-school GPA, while class rank, recommendations, and college-preparatory coursework may be considered without being universally required.
SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not generally required under the reported test-optional criteria. International applicants may need to document English-language proficiency, including through TOEFL or another accepted route under the applicable admissions policy. A particular major or applicant category may have additional prerequisites, auditions, portfolios, or documentation, so the program's current requirements take precedence over a general admissions checklist.
In the reported first-year admissions cycle, Lindenwood admitted about 57% of applicants. That describes a past applicant pool, not an individual's chance of admission. Applicants should check the current admissions calendar and scholarship deadlines rather than assume that an open application automatically leaves every program or award available.
Lindenwood has advertised a free undergraduate application, allowing prospective students to apply without a standard undergraduate application fee. Applicants using a graduate, international, or specialized application should check the charge displayed for that specific application before submitting it.
An application fee is different from any later enrollment deposit, housing payment, or orientation charge. If an applicant encounters a fee they cannot pay, the admissions office can clarify whether that application route offers a waiver and whether the request must be approved before submission.
Lindenwood students have reported access to Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC through cooperating host institutions, rather than through units identified as based on the Lindenwood campus. Participation may require travel to the host institution for classes, leadership activities, or training.
ROTC scholarship applications, participation rules, and any eventual service obligation depend on the branch and type of contract. An interested student should confirm the current host arrangement, travel schedule, cross-enrollment process, and whether ROTC coursework fits their Lindenwood degree plan before relying on the program as part of an enrollment decision.
Lindenwood accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college credit from other accredited institutions. Transfer students have been able to enter in fall, spring, and summer terms, although program availability and application timing can vary.
Applicants should expect to submit an application and official transcripts from the colleges they attended. High school records may also be relevant depending on the applicant's prior coursework and the current admissions policy. Lindenwood also reports pathways for evaluating Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST/DANTES, and certain credit recommended by the American Council on Education; eligibility for credit depends on the applicable course and university rules.
Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions. A course may transfer as elective credit without satisfying a major requirement. Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request an official evaluation showing how prior courses apply to general education, the proposed major, and any minimum number of credits that must be completed at Lindenwood. Students entering a selective or licensure-related program should also check its own transfer restrictions.
Lindenwood students may pursue international study through opportunities approved by the university, which can include short-term experiences and longer programs arranged with outside providers or partner institutions. The available destinations, formats, and academic subjects can change by term.
Before committing to a program, a student should obtain approval for how its courses will count toward a Lindenwood degree. The full budget may include program charges, travel, insurance, and living expenses in addition to tuition. Federal aid, institutional scholarships, and other funding do not necessarily apply in the same way to every outside program, so academic approval and financial-aid review should happen before a student pays a nonrefundable deposit.
14% of admitted students enrolled (638 of 4,528)
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1035Median composite ACT score
24Percent of students submitting ACT scores
5.8%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
0.58%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
Considered but not requiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Considered but not requiredFormal 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
YesAdvanced 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, 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.