Temple University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Temple University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 60%. Located in North Philadelphia, Temple has more than 150 undergraduate majors with programs in business and communications among the most popular. Academics at Temple are supported by a 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio. The university has a diverse student body and over 300 student clubs and organizations. Students can participate in clubs and activities ranging from performing arts groups to academic honor societies, to community service, and recreational sports. The university also has an active Greek system. In athletics, the Temple Owls compete in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference.

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

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Temple University had an acceptance rate of 60%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 60 students were admitted, making Temple's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Temple is test-optional. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores or they can choose the Temple Option and provide responses to a few short-answer questions. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 76% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Temple's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Temple scored between 570 and 660, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 660. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 550 and 660, while 25% scored below 550 and 25% scored above 660. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1320 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Temple.

Requirements

Temple University does not require the optional SAT essay section. Note that Temple will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Temple offers the "Temple Option" for students who believe that responses to short-answer essays will add more to their application than standardized test scores. Most students admitted under the Temple Option have average GPAs of 3.5 or above. Home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international applicants must submit test scores and may not use the Temple Option.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Temple University is test-optional. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores or they can choose the Temple Option and provide responses to a few short-answer questions. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 17% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us the most of Temple's admitted students fall within the top 26% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Temple received a composite ACT score between 24 and 30, while 25% scored above 30 and 25% scored below 24.

Requirements

Note that Temple does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Temple does not require the optional ACT writing section. Temple offers the "Temple Option" for students who believe that responses to short-answer essays will add more to their application than standardized test scores. Note that most students admitted under the Temple Option have average GPAs of 3.5 or above. Home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international applicants must submit test scores and may not use the Temple Option.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA for incoming Temple University freshman was 3.54, and over 60% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.5 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Temple have primarily A and high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Temple 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

Temple University, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a somewhat competitive admissions process. If your GPA and SAT/ACT scores fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, Temple also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on 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 university is looking for students with at least a B average in high school classes and a 3.0 in college-prep coursework including four years of English and math, three years of science and history/social studies, two years of a single foreign language, one year of the arts, and three years of academic electives. Temple also wants 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 Temple's average range.

In the graph above, you'll notice some red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) hidden behind the green and blue (accepted students) in the middle of the graph. Some students who had grades and test scores that were on target for Temple were not admitted. Note also that some students were accepted with test scores and grades a bit below the norm. This is because Temple has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional.

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