Greensboro, NCprivate nonprofitguilford.edu
Admit rate has ranged 75%–84% 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.
Guilford College is a small liberal arts school in Greensboro, NC, with Quaker roots and a reputation for social justice activism. Known for its inclusive community and hands-on learning, it offers a mix of traditional majors and interdisciplinary programs, though recent cuts have shaken its academic offerings. With an acceptance rate hovering around 80%, it’s accessible but struggles with middling graduation rates and post-grad earnings.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guilford College is decidedly not selective, 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. ranging from 75% to 97% depending on the year and source. The average admitted student has an SAT score between 960–1170 or an ACT score around 18–24, and a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 is required (though some programs may demand higher). About 3,400 applicants are admitted annually, though enrollment numbers are significantly lower. Test scores are not always required, reflecting a flexible admissions policy.
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.
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.
Guilford offers 40+ majors and minors, with standout programs in Criminal Justice, Health and Physical Education, and Business (the most popular degrees). The college emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and Quaker-inspired values like community and social justice. However, recent budget cuts have led to reductions in academic programs, sparking concern among students about preserving its liberal arts identity.
With 1,160 undergraduates (52% female, 48% male), Guilford fosters a tight-knit, activist-minded community. Students praise the inclusive atmosphere and abundance of clubs, though the small size means limited nightlife. Greensboro offers off-campus opportunities, and the college emphasizes study abroad programs to build 'intercultural sensitivity.'
Guilford’s graduation rate lags behind peers: just 50% graduate within 6 years, and only 36% finish in 4 years. Alumni earn $31,217 one year post-graduation, rising to $48,340 after five years—below the national average for bachelor’s holders. The college ranks in the bottom 15% for earnings outcomes among four-year schools.
Tuition is $22,620 after aid, with 46% of students receiving financial aid (average package: $31,490). The college touts a $12.5 million investment in scholarships for incoming students, but the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. remains higher than many peers.
Guilford’s Quaker heritage and commitment to social justice give it a distinct identity, attracting students passionate about activism and community engagement. Its small size fosters close relationships with professors, and programs like African and African American Studies reflect its progressive values. However, financial struggles and program cuts threaten its liberal arts mission, making it a college at a crossroads.