St. John's University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole against standards that include educational quality, resources, and governance. It is distinct from approval of an individual degree or preparation for a professional license.
Some St. John's programs have separate professional oversight. For example, the Peter J. Tobin College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, the Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the School of Law is approved by the American Bar Association. Applicants to a licensure-oriented program should check that program's current accreditation and the rules of the state in which they hope to practice.
Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid. It may also matter when seeking to transfer credits or pursue further study, but neither accreditation nor prior coursework guarantees that another institution will accept a particular course.
First-year applicants generally submit an undergraduate application and a secondary-school transcript documenting graduation or an accepted equivalent. St. John's considers the academic record, including GPA. Recommendations, class rank, and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum may be considered without being universal requirements.
The university has a test-optional approach for many undergraduate applicants, so applicants should check the policy for their intended program and entry term before deciding whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. In the reported entering class, 23% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores. The median SAT composite among score submitters was 1205; it is not a minimum admission score or a description of the entire class.
Reported first-year admissions data show 20,196 offers of admission from 24,208 applications, an acceptance rate of about 83%. That institution-wide result does not establish the odds for a particular major, scholarship, or applicant. Applicants whose prior education was not in English may need to demonstrate English proficiency, and professional or specialized programs can impose additional conditions. Check the admissions calendar for the relevant entry term and any separate scholarship or program deadlines.
Application costs at St. John's can depend on the applicant category and the application route. Before submitting, applicants should check the fee displayed in the current first-year, transfer, or graduate application process rather than treating an enrollment deposit or another university charge as an application fee.
Applicants who may qualify for a fee waiver should examine the waiver options in their chosen application and raise eligibility questions with admissions before paying. Waiver documentation and procedures can vary by application platform and applicant circumstance. A waiver of an application fee does not waive later charges, such as an enrollment deposit, tuition, or housing costs.
Army ROTC is available through a unit at St. John's. It combines military instruction and leadership training with a student's regular degree program. Participation requirements, training commitments, and scholarship rules are separate from ordinary undergraduate admission.
An Army ROTC scholarship is not automatic, and accepting certain scholarships or progressing to a contracted stage can create a postgraduation military service obligation. Interested students should review the unit's eligibility and commissioning requirements before committing. Applicants interested in Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify any current cross-enrollment arrangement with the relevant ROTC program; Army ROTC availability does not establish that the other branches operate units on campus.
St. John's accepts transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from every college attended; high school records or additional materials may be requested depending on their academic history and intended program.
Admission and credit acceptance are separate decisions. A course can be accepted for transfer yet count as an elective rather than satisfy a major requirement. St. John's also recognizes certain examination and recommended-credit pathways, including AP, CLEP, and American Council on Education credit recommendations, subject to university rules. The number and applicability of credits can vary by school or degree.
Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should obtain a program-specific credit evaluation and compare it with the degree requirements. That is especially important for sequential courses, professional programs, and students close to completing a degree elsewhere. Ask the transfer admissions or advising office which courses will meet major requirements and how many St. John's credits must still be completed.
St. John's offers international study opportunities that include programs associated with its Rome and Paris locations, alongside other international options. Available formats can differ in length, subject, and whether instruction is delivered directly by the university or through an approved partner.
A prospective participant should confirm how overseas courses apply to their major, whether advance academic approval is required, and how credits will appear on the St. John's record. This matters particularly for tightly sequenced degrees and programs with clinical placements. Program charges, travel, housing, and eligibility for existing aid may differ from a semester in Queens; study-abroad advising and financial aid staff can clarify the terms of a specific option before a student commits.
12% of admitted students enrolled (2,350 of 20,196)
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
Yes, deadline December 1Median composite SAT score
1205Median composite ACT score
26Percent of students submitting ACT scores
2%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
23%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
Considered but not 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.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy 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 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.