Admit rate has ranged 59%–63% 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.
Gallaudet University isn't just a college—it's the epicenter of Deaf culture and ASL fluency in the U.S., offering a one-of-a-kind academic and social experience where signing takes center stage. With a 58% acceptance rate and a fiercely tight-knit campus, it blends accessibility with rigorous programs in business, psychology, and political science. Students don't just live here; they thrive in a visually oriented community where dorms, clubs, and classrooms are designed for Deaf empowerment.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Considered (not required)
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
812
In-state tuition
$19,654
Out-of-state tuition
$19,654
Acceptance Rate
58%
On-Campus Housing
84% of students
U.S. News Ranking
#198 National Universities
Most Popular Majors
Business, Political Science, Psychology
6-Year Graduation Rate
41%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$32,771
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,101
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$18,000
Graduation rate
47%
First-year retention
71%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
56%
Pell (lower-income) share
77%
First-generation share
34%
Endowment / student
$289,526
Financial health
1.8 / 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.
American Sign Language$39,729
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$29,685
Biology, 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)
15
Per 1,000 students
18.47
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
86
Summer high
87°F
Winter low
31°F
Annual rain
54.8"
Annual snow
10.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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
124
Scholarly works
2,562
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
4%
From bottom quintile
13%
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Gallaudet University?
Gallaudet University's acceptance rate is approximately 58% (Washington, DC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Gallaudet University?
Admitted students at Gallaudet University typically score 780–1022 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Gallaudet University cost?
At Gallaudet University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,845 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Gallaudet University?
Gallaudet University enrolls approximately 812 undergraduate students.
Where is Gallaudet University located?
Gallaudet University is located in Washington, DC.
Admissions
Gallaudet's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 58% acceptance rate (sources vary slightly between 58-66%). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 798–990 on the SAT (350-540 Critical Reading, 350-530 Math) or comparable ACT scores. Notably, Gallaudet superscores both SAT and ACT results for scholarship consideration, though test flexibility exists. Rolling admissions mean applications are reviewed continuously, with the admissions office actively encouraging contact via email or video phone (VP). Special consideration is given to applicants' alignment with Deaf culture and ASL proficiency.
Gallaudet offers 50+ majors and 30 minors, including standout programs in —its most popular degrees. The university emphasizes a 'world-class' liberal arts foundation with a Deaf studies lens across disciplines. Unique offerings include a option and specialized outcomes like a . Classes are delivered in ASL, with curricula designed to leverage visual learning. The academic vibe is hands-on: think policy debates in Political Science where ASL rhetoric takes precedence over spoken-word conventions.
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.
Business Administration, Psychology, and Political Science
Campus life revolves around ASL-centric socialization: 84% of students live on campus in dorms with visual doorbells, strobe-light fire alarms, and open sightlines to facilitate communication. Over 24 clubs and organizations range from competitive ASL poetry slams to Deaf theater productions. The Instagram account @gallaudetu.campuslife showcases events like visual comedy nights and silent DJ dances. It’s a 24/7 immersive Deaf space—even the gym has ASL-friendly fitness classes. Proximity to DC offers internships at organizations like the National Association of the Deaf, but most social energy stays on-campus.
Graduation rates are a mixed picture: 41% graduate within 6 years (well below national averages), but certain programs like Business Administration boast 87-92% 5-year completion rates. Early-career salaries average $45,162, with strong placement in Deaf education, advocacy, and government roles. Gallaudet climbed to #198 among National Universities in 2026 U.S. News rankings, reflecting improved retention efforts. Alumni networks are fiercely loyal, often funneling graduates into niche Deaf-serving industries where Gallaudet’s name carries unparalleled weight.
Tuition hits $15,025 net price after aid (vs. a sticker price near $50K), with 90% of students receiving financial assistance. The average aid package is $32,771, combining federal grants ($6,086), institutional scholarships ($10,632), and state aid ($17,039 for eligible students). Gallaudet promotes a 'up to $80K over 4 years' scholarship promise, though Pell Grant recipients report smaller averages ($5,855). The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. is $7,940 below typical private nonprofit colleges, making it a relative value for Deaf students seeking a tailored experience.
Gallaudet isn’t just the world’s only university designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students—it’s a cultural institution where ASL isn’t accommodated; it’s the default. Every campus detail, from lecture halls with sightline-focused seating to dormitory lighting optimized for signing, reinforces this. The academics are solid (especially in policy and business), but the real draw is the total-immersion Deaf ecosystem, where students develop both career skills and unshakable cultural pride. It’s a place where ‘student life’ means debating in ASL over midnight pizza, knowing everyone—from the president to the barista—signs.
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