University of the Pacific: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Stockton, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Action
8,656
Applicants
5,977
Admitted69%
676
Enrolled
11%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Moderately selective69% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1355
Mid 50: 1220–1453
In-state tuition
$57,824
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$25,447
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #121 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #301 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #44 (tie), Computer Science #276 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of the Pacific (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.

Is University of the Pacific a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

University of the Pacific is a private nonprofit university in Stockton, California that admits about 69% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $25,447 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 72% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of the Pacific is a private institution located in Stockton, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of the Pacific admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 69%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1355 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,447 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of the Pacific?

68% of enrolled students at University of the Pacific had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
10.8%
3.75–3.99
35.7%
3.50–3.74
21.8%
3.25–3.49
16.3%
3.00–3.24
8.4%
2.50–2.99
6.8%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of the Pacific.

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What does University of the Pacific weight in admissions?

University of the Pacific reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

3
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
  • Extracurricular activities

Important

4
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work

Considered

6
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Recommendations
  • First generation status
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

Not Considered

5
  • Interview
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

How University of the Pacific reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

SAT and ACT scores University of the Pacific typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 593–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1220
50th percentile1355
75th percentile1453
% submitting SAT15.38%
ACT Composite
25th percentile26
50th percentile30
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT3.7%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional; applicants without scores are not disadvantaged.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of the Pacific's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class36.28%
Top 25% of class65.62%
Top 50% of class88.64%
% submitting class rank47.04%

How much does University of the Pacific actually cost?

Published tuition is $57,080 for in-state students and $57,080 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,190 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $25,447 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 36% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$57,824
Room and board$17,546
Average net price (after aid)$25,447
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need79%
Average need-based grant$46,756
Average merit award, no financial need201 first-year students received one$29,458
Graduates who borrowed52%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$21,992
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$55 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of the Pacific

Regular admission
Notification date11/15
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 15

Will my child graduate from University of the Pacific?

These predict outcomes at University of the Pacific better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
85%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
53.34%
finished on time
6-year graduation
71.91%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of the Pacific

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of the Pacific, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. Across all programs, University of the Pacific confers roughly 535 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $101,618 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Biology, General138$101,618
Business Administration, Management and Operations98$84,621
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other81$182,091
Computer Science68$96,655
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness55$72,395
Psychology, General44$65,588
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology26$66,272
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions25n/a
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of the Pacific safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of the Pacific disclosed 14 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
14
4.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
5
1.56 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
1
0.31 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 3,204 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of the Pacific?

About 51% of undergraduates at University of the Pacific live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 4% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
51%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
53%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
1%
of course sections
In fraternities
5%
of men
In sororities
4%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of the Pacific.

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Common questions parents ask about University of the Pacific

What GPA do I need for University of the Pacific?

68% of enrolled students at University of the Pacific had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.61, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does University of the Pacific typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 593–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–32.

How much does University of the Pacific actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of the Pacific after grants and scholarships is $25,447 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $57,080. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of the Pacific realistic for my child?

University of the Pacific admits 69% of applicants, so 593–770 SAT Math is target range and below 593 is a reach. Then check the $25,447 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of the Pacific?

University of the Pacific accepts about 69% of applicants out of roughly 8,656 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is University of the Pacific test-optional?

Yes. University of the Pacific is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at University of the Pacific?

About 72% of students at University of the Pacific graduate within six years, and 53% finish in four years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of the Pacific look for in applicants?

University of the Pacific rates GPA, the application essay and extracurricular activities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is University of the Pacific a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of the Pacific is a private nonprofit institution located in Stockton, California.

What are the most popular majors at University of the Pacific?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of the Pacific by annual graduates are Biology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. The school awards about 535 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of the Pacific safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of the Pacific reported 14 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at University of the Pacific?

At University of the Pacific, 51% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 4% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of the Pacific, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers