Admit rate has ranged 39%–63% 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.
Judson University is a small Christian liberal arts college in Elgin, Illinois, where faith and community shape the academic experience. With a moderately selective admissions process (acceptance rates hover around 50-60%), Judson attracts students drawn to its tight-knit campus life, strong architecture and business programs, and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. While graduation rates lag behind national averages, the university offers robust financial aid—99% of students receive some form of assistance—making it an accessible option for those seeking a values-driven education.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
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
708
In-state tuition
$31,360
Out-of-state tuition
$31,360
Location
Elgin, IL
Acceptance Rate
48-62%
Notable Programs
Architecture, Business, Christian Ministries
On-Campus Housing
57%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
53%
Financial Aid Recipients
99%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$17,772
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,313
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.0×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
59%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
60%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$10,859
Financial health
0.6 / 3.0Below the federal standard — financial stress
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$52,733
Human Services, General$30,554
Architecture$26,933
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
85
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
20°F
Annual rain
41.9"
Annual snow
33.7"
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
30
Scholarly works
322
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
1.3%
Bottom → top quintile
20%
From bottom quintile
6%
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 Judson University?
Judson University's acceptance rate is approximately 48% (Elgin, IL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Judson University?
Admitted students at Judson University typically score 816–1118 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Judson University cost?
At Judson University, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,558 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Judson University?
Judson University enrolls approximately 708 undergraduate students.
Where is Judson University located?
Judson University is located in Elgin, IL.
Admissions
Judson University is moderately 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 48% to 62.4% depending on the source. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 850–1110 on the SAT or 16–24 on the ACT, with only 36% of accepted students submitting ACT scores. Judson does not require early applications but offers academic grants for students in the upper 25% of ACT scorers. The university tracks demonstrated interest but does not mandate admission applications for certain campus visits or events.
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.
Academics
Judson offers over 60 undergraduate programs, with business administration, architecture, and psychology ranking as the most popular majors. The university emphasizes Christian integration across disciplines, including unique offerings like biblical studies, Christian ministries, and sacred music. A 10:1 student-faculty ratio supports close mentorship, particularly in niche programs such as its architecture school—one of only a few evangelical Christian architecture programs in the U.S. Elementary education and human services also draw significant enrollment, reflecting the university’s focus on service-oriented careers.
Campus life revolves around Christian community, with 57% of students living on campus. The university fosters a tight-knit environment through shared worship, intramural sports (Judson competes in 22 NAIA teams), and events like Pursue, which encourages high school students to explore ministry. Instagram posts showcase students studying, praying, and socializing together, with captions like 'Life together. At Judson University, it’s more than moments—this is community.' Off-campus, Elgin provides suburban amenities just 45 minutes from Chicago.
Judson’s graduation rates are a mixed bag: 53% of students graduate within six years (below the national median), but Pell Grant recipients graduate at a slightly higher rate (61%). Four-year graduation rates hover around 44%, though some cohorts show stronger retention (e.g., 96% for certain years). The university highlights specific programs with higher success rates, such as a 100% two-year retention rate for one cohort. Alumni outcomes data is sparse, but the university emphasizes career preparation through faith-based service roles.
Judson’s Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $21,331 after aid, with 99% of students receiving financial assistance. The average aid package is $17,772, combining scholarships, grants (like the Southern Baptist rate), and work-study opportunities. The university actively promotes its affordability, offering a net price calculator and emphasizing that 72% of students qualify for aid. Tuition details are vague on the website, but Judson positions itself as a cost-conscious option among Christian colleges.
Judson’s defining feature is its fusion of evangelical Christian values with practical academics, particularly in architecture—a rarity among faith-based schools. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention, while campus life leans heavily on communal worship and service. Though graduation rates are uneven, the university’s robust financial aid (99% coverage rate) and suburban-Chicago location make it a pragmatic choice for students seeking a faith-centered education without the sticker shock of larger Christian universities.
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