Admit rate has ranged 59%–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.
Saint Augustine's University, a small HBCU in Raleigh, NC, offers an intimate, historically rich education with a focus on social mobility—though its low graduation rates (22-33%) and financial struggles loom large. With a 35-59% acceptance rate and ACT scores as low as 13 accepted, it serves as an accessible option for first-generation and underserved students, particularly in psychology, legal studies, and communications.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
172
In-state tuition
$16,896
Out-of-state tuition
$16,896
Acceptance Rate
35-59%
Most Popular Major
Psychology
Retention Rate (2023)
77%
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
22%
On-Campus Housing Cost
$5,158/year
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$35,730
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.5×
Median debt at graduation
$29,669
Graduation rate
25%
First-year retention
—
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
26%
Pell (lower-income) share
87%
First-generation share
35%
Endowment / student
$79,114
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$32,711
Sociology$29,685
Criminal Justice and Corrections$25,774
Psychology, General$25,194
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, 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)
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
103
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
37°F
Annual rain
51.5"
Annual snow
2.7"
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
21
Scholarly works
184
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
1.8%
Bottom → top quintile
7%
From bottom quintile
26%
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 Saint Augustine's University?
Saint Augustine's University's acceptance rate is approximately 34% (Raleigh, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Saint Augustine's University cost?
At Saint Augustine's University, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,313 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Saint Augustine's University?
Saint Augustine's University enrolls approximately 172 undergraduate students.
Where is Saint Augustine's University located?
Saint Augustine's University is located in Raleigh, NC.
Admissions
Saint Augustine's University is a moderately selective institution 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 35% (US News) to 59% (College Board), reflecting discrepancies in reporting. The university employs a rolling admissions policy with no strict deadline. Accepted students typically present ACT scores between 13-17 or SAT scores of 760-920, though test submissions are optional. In recent cycles, 1,821 applicants yielded 631 acceptances and 173 enrolled students, suggesting a YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate around 27%. The admissions process emphasizes accessibility, particularly for first-generation and underserved populations.
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
The university offers 25 majors across three schools, with psychology as the most popular (17 degrees awarded annually). Other notable programs include legal studies, communications, and social sciences. Small class sizes are a hallmark, with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. However, academic outcomes are concerning: the 6-year graduation rate is just 22% (per College Raptor), though recent internal reports claim a retention rate increase from 52% to 77% between 2021-2023. The curriculum emphasizes practical, career-oriented education, particularly for working adults and First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students.
With only 172 undergrads (per College Board), campus life is tight-knit but limited. Just 8% of students live on campus (average housing cost: $5,158/year), while 41% commute. The Division of Student Experience promotes partnerships between students and faculty to foster engagement, though Niche reviews suggest campus activities are sparse. Greek life and NCAA Division II athletics (Falcons) provide some social outlets. The urban Raleigh location offers off-campus opportunities, but the micro-campus vibe means students must actively seek involvement.
Male students fare worse (16% graduation rate). However, the university touts recent improvements, including a 25% retention rate increase (52% to 77%) from 2021-2023. Social mobility metrics—like outcomes for Pell Grant recipients—are emphasized, though only 5.5% of Pell recipients graduate within 6 years (US News). Earnings data is scarce, reflecting the institution's struggle with long-term student success.
The university heavily promotes financial aid opportunities, including grants, scholarships, and work-study. While exact tuition figures aren't provided in sources, 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 significant aid packages are available to offset costs. Campus housing averages $5,158/year, but most students live off-campus. The focus on serving low-income populations means aid accessibility is a priority, though students should verify net costs individually.
Saint Augustine's carves a niche as one of the most accessible HBCUs, accepting students with ACT scores as low as 13. Its hyper-small scale (172 undergrads) creates familial bonds but limits resources. Recent retention gains (77%) suggest turnaround potential, though abysmal graduation rates (22%) reveal systemic challenges. For First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students seeking intimate support in Raleigh—and willing to persist against institutional headwinds—it offers a rare blend of historical legacy and radical accessibility.
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