Admit rate has ranged 78%–84% 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.
Marywood University, a private Catholic institution in Scranton, Pennsylvania, blends strong professional programs in fields like aviation management and information security with a nurturing, close-knit campus culture. With a 61% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, it attracts students who thrive in its hands-on, values-driven environment—evidenced by a 73% graduation rate and robust financial aid offerings.
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
Demonstrated competencies
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
1,784
In-state tuition
$41,420
Out-of-state tuition
$41,420
Location
Scranton, PA
Acceptance Rate
61%
Undergraduate Majors
50+
6-Year Graduation Rate
73%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
12:1
Median Early-Career Earnings
$43,928
Percentage Receiving Financial Aid
83%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$55,817
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$26,186
Graduation rate
72%
First-year retention
80%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
68%
Pell (lower-income) share
46%
First-generation share
29%
Endowment / student
$34,070
Financial health
2.5 / 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.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,995
Architecture$47,260
Accounting and Related Services$44,170
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services$41,937
Business Administration, Management and Operations$39,009
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
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
95
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
24°F
Annual rain
48.7"
Annual snow
40.3"
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
72
Scholarly works
1,093
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
0.8%
Bottom → top quintile
13%
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Marywood University?
Marywood University's acceptance rate is approximately 61% (Scranton, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Marywood University?
Admitted students at Marywood University typically score 1060–1250 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Marywood University cost?
At Marywood University, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,388 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Marywood University?
Marywood University enrolls approximately 1,784 undergraduate students.
Where is Marywood University located?
Marywood University is located in Scranton, PA.
Admissions
Marywood’s admissions process is moderately selective, with a 61% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and 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 for first-year applicants. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1070–1240 on the SAT or 21–26 on the ACT, though 28% of enrollees boast GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Applications are rolling, with a priority deadline of August 1, and the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., considering factors beyond test scores. Notably, Marywood’s admissions team encourages but doesn’t require standardized test submissions, aligning with broader trends toward accessibility.
Marywood offers over 50 majors across its undergraduate and graduate programs, with standout departments in visual and performing arts (6% of majors), psychology (6%), and (2%). The university is particularly known for niche programs like , , and , which blend professional training with liberal arts foundations. Academic structure is organized into distinct colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health and Human Services, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Small class sizes and a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio underscore its commitment to personalized education.
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.
$35,954
Design and Applied Arts$35,823
Marketing$33,993
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 life at Marywood balances tradition with modern engagement: 41% of students live on campus, while the rest commute, creating a mix of residential and commuter dynamics. The university offers 60+ student clubs, Greek life, and leadership programs, with a strong emphasis on community service—a nod to its Catholic mission. Athletics (NCAA Division III) and arts events, like theater productions and gallery exhibitions, anchor social life. Reviews highlight the safe, inclusive environment, though some note the suburban Scranton location limits off-campus excitement. Housing options range from traditional dorms to apartment-style living for upperclassmen.
Marywood’s 73% six-year graduation rate outpaces national averages, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at 61%. Alumni median earnings hover around $43,928 early-career, and the average time to degree is 4.3 years. The university emphasizes career-ready outcomes, with strong placement in education, healthcare, and public service. In 2024, it awarded 786 degrees, 68% to women, reflecting its historic roots as a women’s college (now co-ed). Recent rankings highlight its strength in value-added metrics, such as outperforming graduation-rate predictions based on student demographics.
Tuition at Marywood is offset by generous aid: 83% of first-year students receive need-based scholarships or grants, averaging $33,739 per recipient. The university distributes over $31 million annually in aid, including merit-based awards like the Access & Achievement Scholarship (up to $3,000/year). After aid, the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $24,712 for many students, though median debt at graduation is $26,186. The financial aid office actively promotes its net price calculator to help families estimate costs, and work-study opportunities are widely available.
Marywood carves a distinct niche with its Catholic identity fused to career-focused pragmatism—think nursing students volunteering at Scranton clinics or art majors exhibiting in campus galleries. Its aviation management program is a rarity among small liberal arts colleges, and the 73% graduation rate signals strong student support. The campus vibe is unpretentious and communal, with traditions like Midnight Breakfast during finals week. While not a research powerhouse, Marywood excels in applied fields, leveraging its Scranton location for internships and service. For students seeking a tight-knit community with professional upside, it’s a compelling choice.
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