Admit rate has ranged 65%–75% 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.
Meredith College is a small, women's liberal arts college in Raleigh, NC, with a distinctive focus on personal strengths development through its STRONGPOINTS® program. Known for its welcoming campus vibe and robust arts scene, it offers over 90 majors with particular strengths in visual arts, business, and psychology. While its 74% acceptance rate makes it accessible, its 65% six-year graduation rate outperforms many regional peers.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
1,188
In-state tuition
$45,630
Out-of-state tuition
$45,630
Acceptance Rate
74%
Notable Programs
STRONGPOINTS®, Visual Arts, Business, Psychology
Six-Year Graduation Rate
65%
First-Years Receiving Aid
95%
Avg Need-Based Aid Package
$39,504
Campus Housing (Undergrads)
56%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,539
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
70%
First-year retention
79%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
45%
First-generation share
22%
Endowment / student
$116,972
Financial health
3.0 / 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.
Human Resources Management and Services$44,021
Business Administration, Management and Operations$43,798
Biology, General$36,166
Design and Applied Arts$35,274
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations$35,060
Communication and Media Studies
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
106
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
37°F
Annual rain
51.3"
Annual snow
3"
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
66
Scholarly works
889
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
33%
From bottom quintile
4%
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 Meredith College?
Meredith College's acceptance rate is approximately 74% (Raleigh, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Meredith College?
Admitted students at Meredith College typically score 1098–1348 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Meredith College cost?
At Meredith College, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,488 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Meredith College?
Meredith College enrolls approximately 1,188 undergraduate students.
Where is Meredith College located?
Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC.
Admissions
Meredith College maintains a moderately selective admissions process with a 74% acceptance rate, admitting roughly three-quarters of its nearly 2,000 annual applicants ([1], [3], [5]). The middle 50% of admitted students boast SAT scores between 1098-1348 or ACT scores of 23-29 ([5], [9]), though test scores are optional ([10]). Academic preparation is solid but not elite: the average unweighted GPA is 3.56 (weighted: 3.90), with admitted students representing 180 high schools ([1]). The February 18 regular decision deadline suggests a rolling admissions flexibility ([4]).
Meredith’s academic portfolio spans 90+ majors and minors, with standout programs in visual/performing arts, business, and psychology ([12], [14], [15]). The college’s signature – built on Gallup’s CliftonStrengths® assessment – integrates strength-based advising into every student’s trajectory ([13], [17]). Small class sizes and a student success center provide scaffolding, while graduate programs (including 30+ certificates) allow for continued specialization ([12], [17]). The curriculum balances liberal arts foundations with pre-professional training, appealing to students seeking both intellectual exploration and career readiness ([15]).
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.
$32,569
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$29,995
Psychology, General$29,141
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.
Life at Meredith revolves around its tight-knit, residential community: 56% of students live on campus, with a two-year housing requirement for first-years ([19], [20]). Over 100 clubs and organizations span cultural arts (notably dance and visual arts), service initiatives, and leadership programs ([18], [22]). The campus earns praise for its walkable green spaces and friendly vibe, though some students note the limited social scene typical of small women’s colleges ([21], [23]). Raleigh’s urban amenities – from museums to internships – provide off-campus balance ([22]).
Meredith’s 65% six-year graduation rate (67% over five years) outpaces many regional peers and lands in the top 35% nationally ([25], [29]). Alumni report median earnings of $36,427 one year post-graduation, aligning with liberal arts college norms ([28]). The college actively benchmarks retention and completion against peer institutions, suggesting institutional focus on student success ([24]). While job placement rates aren’t publicly detailed, the STRONGPOINTS® program’s career-integrated approach likely bolsters post-graduate outcomes ([13]).
With 95% of first-years receiving aid, Meredith leverages generous scholarships to offset its $37,569 average tuition ([30], [32]). Merit awards reach up to $30,000 annually, while need-based packages average $39,504 ([34], [35]). 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 many students pay closer to $23,405 after grants ([33]). Though not a bargain, the cost aligns with private college norms, and the high aid participation makes it accessible to middle-income families ([31], [32]).
Meredith carves a niche with its STRONGPOINTS® program – a rare, research-backed approach to aligning academics with innate talents ([13], [17]). Its urban Raleigh location offers cultural and professional opportunities uncommon for small liberal arts colleges ([22]). The women-centered environment fosters leadership (evident in its 100+ student organizations) without isolating students from co-ed interactions in the city ([18], [20]). While not as selective as elite women’s colleges, its balance of accessibility and outcomes (65% graduation rate) makes it a pragmatic choice for students seeking personalized attention and career preparation ([25], [29]).
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