Gettysburg College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Gettysburg College is a private nonprofit university in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that admits about 39% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $31,490 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Political Science and Government, Economics and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 83% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 11.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Gettysburg College is a private institution located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Gettysburg College admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 39%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1350 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $31,490 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Gettysburg College?
Admitted students at Gettysburg College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What does Gettysburg College weight in admissions?
Gettysburg College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Class rank
- • Standardized test scores
- • Interview
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores Gettysburg College typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1350 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | % |
| 25th percentile | 27 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does Gettysburg College actually cost?
Published tuition is $66,640 for in-state students and $66,640 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,110 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $31,490 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $68,970 |
| Room and board | $16,670 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $31,490 |
| Application fee | $60 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Gettysburg College
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
Will my child graduate from Gettysburg College?
These predict outcomes at Gettysburg College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Gettysburg College
The most popular undergraduate programs at Gettysburg College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Political Science and Government, Economics and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Gettysburg College confers roughly 454 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Political Science and Government program report a median income of about $79,444 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 76 | $79,444 |
| Economics | 74 | $103,735 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 69 | $102,369 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 66 | $86,150 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 51 | — |
| Biology, General | 42 | $61,403 |
| History | 42 | $51,857 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 34 | $58,130 |
Is Gettysburg College safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Gettysburg College disclosed 23 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 11.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 12 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about
- Franklin and Marshall College28% acceptance
- Muhlenberg College72% acceptance
- Bucknell University29% acceptance
- Ursinus College92% acceptance
- Allegheny College55% acceptance
- University of Pennsylvania5% acceptance
- Carnegie Mellon University12% acceptance
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus61% acceptance
Next steps for Gettysburg College
Common questions parents ask about Gettysburg College
What GPA do I need for Gettysburg College?
Admitted students at Gettysburg College typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What SAT or ACT score does Gettysburg College typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 630–740, with an EBRW midpoint near 680. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 29–32.
How much does Gettysburg College actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Gettysburg College after grants and scholarships is $31,490 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $66,640. Budget against the net figure.
Is Gettysburg College realistic for my child?
Gettysburg College admits 39% of applicants, so 630–740 SAT Math is target range and below 630 is a reach. Then check the $31,490 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Gettysburg College?
Gettysburg College accepts about 39% of applicants out of roughly 8,366 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is Gettysburg College test-optional?
Yes. Gettysburg College 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 Gettysburg College?
About 83% of students at Gettysburg College graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Gettysburg College look for in applicants?
Gettysburg College rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and recommendations as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Gettysburg College a public or private school, and where is it located?
Gettysburg College is a private nonprofit institution located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
What are the most popular majors at Gettysburg College?
The largest undergraduate majors at Gettysburg College by annual graduates are Political Science and Government, Economics and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 454 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Gettysburg College safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Gettysburg College reported 23 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 11.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Gettysburg College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers