Admit rate has ranged 65%–70% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Agnes Scott College, a historic women's liberal arts college in Decatur, Georgia, punches above its weight with a distinctive SUMMIT curriculum that blends global learning with leadership development. Known for its intimate 10:1 student-faculty ratio and Gothic architecture, the college fosters a tight-knit community where 84% of students live on campus—though social life skews quieter than typical party schools. With a 62% acceptance rate and strong outcomes (73% six-year graduation rate), Agnes Scott appeals to students seeking a progressive, globally focused education with Atlanta's resources at their doorstep.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
836
In-state tuition
$50,604
Out-of-state tuition
$50,604
Avg Class Size
16
Acceptance Rate
62%
On-Campus Housing
84%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Six-Year Graduation Rate
73%
First-Years Receiving Aid
88%
Median Alumni Earnings (1yr)
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,274
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$26,749
Graduation rate
71%
First-year retention
81%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
56%
Pell (lower-income) share
57%
First-generation share
21%
Endowment / student
$283,367
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$39,729
Psychology, General$32,569
History$25,194
Public Health$24,035
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$21,052
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
2.39
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
101
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
65.6"
Annual snow
0.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
82
Scholarly works
1,520
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.5%
Bottom → top quintile
20%
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Agnes Scott College?
Agnes Scott College's acceptance rate is approximately 62% (Decatur, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Agnes Scott College?
Admitted students at Agnes Scott College typically score 1160–1330 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Agnes Scott College cost?
At Agnes Scott College, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,754 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Agnes Scott College?
Agnes Scott College enrolls approximately 836 undergraduate students.
Where is Agnes Scott College located?
Agnes Scott College is located in Decatur, GA.
Admissions
Agnes Scott maintains a moderately selective admissions process with a 62% acceptance rate—higher than the national average for four-year colleges. Mid-range SAT scores for admitted students fall between 1160-1340, while ACT scores typically range from 25-31. The average GPA of incoming first-years is 3.63, reflecting the college's emphasis on academic preparation. Notably, Agnes Scott has adopted a Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy, allowing applicants to forgo standardized test submissions. The admissions team evaluates a holistic profile, including essays, recommendations, and extracurricular involvement, with particular attention to leadership potential—a core tenet of the SUMMIT curriculum.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Academics
The college offers 28+ majors and minors, with standout programs in Political Science (6% of graduates), International Relations (5%), and Chemistry (4%). Its signature SUMMIT curriculum—a four-year program integrating global learning, leadership development, and digital literacy—sets Agnes Scott apart. Students benefit from a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and average class sizes of 16, enabling close mentorship. Pre-professional tracks include pre-law, pre-med, and dual-degree programs in engineering, computer science, and nursing with partner institutions. The Princeton Review praises the 'supportive community of strong women,' while Reddit users highlight the SUMMIT program's uniqueness among liberal arts colleges.
Campus culture thrives on tradition and inclusivity, with 84% of students living on-site in a mix of historic early-1900s buildings and modern suites. Social life is low-key—Niche notes 'little party culture' and sparse weekend activity, partly due to many students commuting or exploring Atlanta. Signature events like Black Cat (a Halloween-themed formal) and Spring Fling foster community bonding. The college emphasizes leadership through clubs like the Honor Court and Student Government Association. Instagram posts showcase a diverse student body where 'everyone brings a story,' while Colleges That Change Lives highlights the residential experience's role in fostering lifelong connections.
Agnes Scott boasts a 73% six-year graduation rate—well above national averages—with 79% graduating within 4.1 years. Early-career alumni earn $36,427 median income one year post-graduation, though CollegeFactual notes this lags slightly behind peer institutions given the majors mix. The college reports strong exam pass rates for pre-med and pre-law students. About 26% pursue graduate school within six years. Median student debt at graduation is $26,749, lower than many private colleges. Notably, SUMMIT's focus on global competencies and leadership translates into high rates of Fulbright scholarships and international fellowships.
With a $27,499 average net price, Agnes Scott meets 88% of demonstrated need for first-years through aid packages averaging $40,205. Merit scholarships like the Whitehead Award offer $500-$2,000 annually ($2,000-$8,000 over four years). Families earning under $30K pay an average of $21,467, while those above $40K face $30,054. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps estimate costs, accounting for 84% of students receiving aid. Compared to peer liberal arts colleges, Agnes Scott delivers strong value—its graduation rate outperforms many schools with similar tuition profiles.
Agnes Scott's SUMMIT curriculum—a rare blend of global immersion, leadership labs, and digital competency—prepares students for 21st-century challenges unlike traditional liberal arts models. Its Atlanta adjacency provides internships at Fortune 500 companies and cultural institutions, while the 10:1 ratio ensures faculty access rare at urban campuses. The college's Gothic architecture and 84% residential rate create a 'small-town' feel minutes from a major city. Though social life isn't raucous, the tight-knit community fosters deep connections, with alumnae networks that punch above their weight in law, medicine, and advocacy. For students seeking a progressive, globally minded women's college with Southern charm, Agnes Scott delivers outsized impact.
Agnes Scott College logo · sourceAgnes Scott College | Women's Liberal Arts College | Atlanta, GA | Agnes Scott College · sourceAbout | Agnes Scott College | Atlanta, GA | Agnes Scott College · sourceAgnes Scott College | Women's Liberal Arts College | Atlanta, GA | Agnes Scott College · source
