Admit rate has ranged 56%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
Converse University, a small liberal arts institution in Spartanburg, SC, blends Southern charm with creative flexibility. Known for its strong arts programs and individualized majors, it attracts students who thrive in a tight-knit, predominantly female community (73% of undergrads) with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. While its 47-62% graduation rate lags behind national averages, its $19K net price and 96% aid rate make it an accessible option for students seeking personalized attention.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
1,173
In-state tuition
$25,240
Out-of-state tuition
$25,240
Location
Spartanburg, SC
Top Majors
Business, Biology, Human Development
Acceptance Rate
64-68%
Female Students
72.9%
4-Year Grad Rate
47-57%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$40,867
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
62%
First-year retention
80%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
61%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$75,445
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.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$33,993
Design and Applied Arts$30,409
Psychology, General$25,194
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)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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
105
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
38°F
Annual rain
48"
Annual snow
2.2"
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Converse University?
Converse University's acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Spartanburg, SC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Converse University?
Admitted students at Converse University typically score 1010–1250 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Converse University cost?
At Converse University, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,283 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Converse University?
Converse University enrolls approximately 1,173 undergraduate students.
Where is Converse University located?
Converse University is located in Spartanburg, SC.
Admissions
Converse University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 64-68% for the 2024 cycle. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010-1250 on the SAT or 19-26 on the ACT, with a median ACT of 23. Notably, 96% of incoming students receive financial aid, suggesting a strong institutional commitment to accessibility. The gender imbalance is stark—women comprise nearly 73% of undergraduates—reflecting its historical roots as a women's college (it became fully coed in 2020).
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.
With over 40 majors, Converse shines in niche programs like Musical Theatre, Art Therapy, and its conservatory-style School of Music. The most popular majors—Business Administration, Biology, and Human Development—reflect practical orientations, but the standout feature is the Individualized Major, allowing students to self-design interdisciplinary programs blending at least three disciplines. Small classes (the 10:1 student-faculty ratio is a selling point) enable close mentorship, particularly in undergraduate research. The arts dominate campus culture, with strong offerings in Dance and Art History alongside more conventional liberal arts tracks.
Life at Converse revolves around intimate community traditions rather than Greek life or big sports culture (it competes in NCAA Division II). Described as 'quieter' by Niche reviewers, the campus compensates with creative events and a strong arts scene. Spartanburg offers limited off-campus distractions, fostering tight dorm bonds—72% of students live on campus. The university emphasizes 'belonging and collaboration,' with active clubs ranging from academic societies to identity-based groups. A YouTube campus tour highlights pottery studios buzzing alongside science labs, capturing its blend of creativity and rigor.
Graduation rates are Converse's weak spot: just 47-57% of students finish within 4 years (rising to 62% at 6 years), well below national averages. Early-career earnings are modest—$34,843 at one year post-graduation, climbing to $41,482 after five years—though some outliers in the arts and business fare better. The university touts its career services, but outcomes data suggests students may need to aggressively leverage its small-network advantages. Notably, female students graduate at higher rates than male peers, a LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants. of its historical focus on women's education.
Converse's sticker price is softened by generous aid—96% of freshmen receive grants or scholarships, bringing the average net cost to $19,061. Endowed academic scholarships range from $10,000 to $22,000, heavily weighted toward GPA and test scores. 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 suggests even middling students (3.0 GPA, 1000 SAT) can expect ~$15K in annual aid. While not dirt-cheap, it's a relative bargain for a private liberal arts college, especially given the high-touch faculty access.
Converse carves a niche for students who want artistic rigor without cutthroat competition—a place where theatre majors collaborate with biology students on interdisciplinary projects. Its willingness to let students craft their own majors (say, combining American Sign Language with Psychology) appeals to self-starters. The campus vibe is 'quirky Southern creative,' with less pressure to conform than at elite liberal arts colleges. Just know the trade-offs: you'll get attentive professors and affordable tuition, but must actively seek opportunities to offset the modest career outcomes.
Converse University logo · sourceCampus Map | Converse University | Spartanburg, SC · sourceCampus Map | Converse University | Spartanburg, SC · sourceConverse University | Spartanburg, SC | Liberal Arts Upstate SC · source
