More selective than 49% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
43% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 14% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Hope College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Hope College weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Hope College reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Class rank
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- Interview
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Hope College first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.82. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
97% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
337 offered a spot, 93 took it, 21 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Hope College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Hope College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 550 | 670 |
| SAT math | 550 | 670 |
| ACT composite | 25 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1100 | 1340 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Hope College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 79% | 550–670 | 550–670 | 25–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 76% | 550–660 | 540–650 | 26–31 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Hope College compared with other Michigan colleges?
Hope College has the 22nd-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Kalamazoo College | 75% | 76% | $19,072 |
| 19 | University of Detroit Mercy | 75% | 67% | $15,232 |
| 20 | Cornerstone University | 78% | 62% | $20,301 |
| 21 | Kettering University | 79% | 71% | $34,660 |
| 22 | Hope College | 79% | 80% | $27,182 |
| 23 | Eastern Michigan University | 80% | 46% | $15,407 |
| 24 | Albion College | 81% | 62% | $14,301 |
| 25 | Wayne State University | 81% | 58% | $12,766 |
| 26 | Andrews University | 82% | 72% | $12,547 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →
Who enrolls at Hope College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Hope College admissions questions
What is the Hope College acceptance rate?
Hope College accepts 79% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,949 of 5,206 applicants were admitted.
Does Hope College require the SAT or ACT?
Hope College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 43% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Hope College?
The middle 50% of Hope College enrolled first-year students scored 1100–1340 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Hope College?
21% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (834 of 3,949).
What does Hope College look for in applicants?
Hope College reports these as very important for first-year applicants: none. Important: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Considered: class rank, sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, alumni relation (legacy), where you live. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Hope College have early decision?
No. Hope College does not offer binding early decision, but it offers non-binding early action (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Hope College waitlist?
For fall 2025, 337 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 93 accepted one and 21 were admitted (23% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Hope College getting harder to get into?
Hope College accepted 79% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 76% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Hope College's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Hope College overview