Stetson University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

DeLand, Florida · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
72%
11,674 applicants
Median SAT
1090
Mid 50: 988–1213
In-state tuition
$57,410
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$19,372
after aid, what families pay
Is Stetson University a reach, target or safety for your student?Check your chances free

Or open Stetson University in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.

Quick answer

Stetson University is a private nonprofit university in DeLand, Florida that admits about 72% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $19,372 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 62% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 15.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Stetson University is a private institution located in DeLand, Florida with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Stetson University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1090 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,372 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Stetson University?

55% of enrolled students at Stetson University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.66, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
19.0%
3.75–3.99
20.0%
3.50–3.74
16.0%
3.25–3.49
15.0%
3.00–3.24
15.0%
2.50–2.99
13.0%
Below 2.50
2.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Stetson University.

What does Stetson University weight in admissions?

Stetson University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important9 factors
  • Class rank
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores Stetson University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–610, with an EBRW midpoint near 610. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile988
50th percentile1090
75th percentile1213
% submitting SAT38%
ACT Composite
25th percentile19
50th percentile22
75th percentile27
% submitting ACT18%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

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 class13%
Top 25% of class44%
Top 50% of class71%
% submitting class rank67%

How much does Stetson University actually cost?

Published tuition is $57,410 for in-state students and $57,410 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,728 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,372 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 37% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$59,290
Room and board$18,342
Average net price (after aid)$19,372
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Stetson University

Regular admission
Notification dateRolling basis beginning December 15
Reply deadlineMust reply by May 1st or within 30 days if notified thereafter
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineDecember 1
ED acceptance rate89%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineDecember 15

Will my child graduate from Stetson University?

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

Freshman retention
78.18%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
56.45%
finished on time
6-year graduation
62.29%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Stetson University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Stetson University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Stetson University confers roughly 380 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General program report a median income of about $54,094 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General76$54,094
Business Administration, Management and Operations65$57,949
Psychology, General54$47,029
Finance and Financial Management Services46$79,626
Music43$28,018
Political Science and Government40$61,767
Accounting and Related Services30$72,927
Biology, General26$44,798
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Stetson University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Stetson University disclosed 36 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 15.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
36
15.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.44 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
2
0.87 per 1,000
Burglary
5
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,297 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Stetson University?

About 72% of undergraduates at Stetson University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 23% of men join a fraternity and 17% 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
72%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
23%
of men
In sororities
17%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Stetson University.

Other colleges in Florida parents ask about

Next steps for Stetson University

Common questions parents ask about Stetson University

What GPA do I need for Stetson University?

55% of enrolled students at Stetson University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.66, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Stetson University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 520–610, with an EBRW midpoint near 610. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28.

How much does Stetson University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Stetson University after grants and scholarships is $19,372 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $57,410. Budget against the net figure.

Is Stetson University realistic for my child?

Stetson University admits 72% of applicants, so 520–610 SAT Math is target range and below 520 is a reach. Then check the $19,372 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Stetson University?

Stetson University accepts about 72% of applicants out of roughly 11,674 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Stetson University test-optional?

Yes. Stetson University is test-optional, 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 Stetson University?

About 62% of students at Stetson University graduate within six years, and 56% finish in four years. 78% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Stetson University?

Stetson University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 89%, compared with its overall rate of 72%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Stetson University look for in applicants?

Stetson University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Stetson University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Stetson University is a private nonprofit institution located in DeLand, Florida.

What are the most popular majors at Stetson University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Stetson University by annual graduates are Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 380 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Stetson University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Stetson University reported 36 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 15.7 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 Stetson University?

At Stetson University, 72% of undergraduates live on campus, 23% of men are in fraternities, 17% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Stetson University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers