Rider University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Rider University is a private university with an acceptance rate of 70%. Founded in 1865 as the Trenton Business College, Rider now offers degrees in liberal arts and sciences, education and human services, business administration, and the arts. The 280-acre main campus is located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey close to Philadelphia and New York City. Rider has a 12-to-1 student / faculty ratio, and undergraduates can choose from 75 degree programs across the university's four academic colleges. In athletics, the Rider University Broncs compete in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

Considering applying to Rider University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Rider University had an acceptance rate of 70%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 70 students were admitted, making Rider's admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Rider University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Rider may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 92% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Rider's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of Rider's admitted students scored between 500 and 600, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 600. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 500 and 590, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 590. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1190 or higher is competitive for Rider.

Requirements

Rider University does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Rider participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Rider does not require the essay section of the SAT or SAT Subject tests.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Rider University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Rider may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 16% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Rider's admitted students fall within the top 49% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Rider received a composite ACT score between 20 and 25, while 25% scored above 25 and 25% scored below 20.

Requirements

Note that Rider does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Rider participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Rider does not require the ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA for Rider University's incoming freshmen class was 3.32. This data suggests that most successful applicants to Rider have primarily B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Rider University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Rider University, which accepts fewer than three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat competitive admissions pool. However, Rider also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside of Rider's average range. Note that many of Rider's music programs also require an audition.

In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent students who were offered admission. Successful applicants typically had SAT scores (ERW+M) of 1000 or higher, an ACT composite of 20 or higher, and a high school average in the "B" range or better. Standardized test scores are not as important as grades since the university has test-optional admissions.

If You Like Rider University, You May Also Like These Schools

• Stockton University
• University of Delaware
• Temple University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Drexel University
• Pace University
• New York University
• Hofstra University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Rider University Undergraduate Admissions Office.