Spelman College
Spelman College is a private, historically Black liberal arts college for women in Atlanta, Georgia, and a member of the Atlanta University Center consortium alongside neighboring Morehouse College. With roughly 2,700 undergraduates, Spelman is routinely ranked the top HBCU in the country and is known for sending an outsized share of its graduates on to graduate and professional study, particularly in the social sciences, psychology, and the sciences. Admission is selective: about 25% of nearly 12,000 applicants were admitted for the most recent class, and enrolled first-years carried an average high school GPA near 3.94. Spelman is test-optional, and the social sciences and psychology together account for more than 40% of the bachelor's degrees it confers.
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Spelman admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Decision
Spelman offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.2× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
Spelman is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Spelman's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 25% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Spelman does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Spelman weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Spelman's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Spelman admissions
What GPA do you need to get into Spelman College?＋
Spelman doesn't publish a hard GPA cutoff, but admitted first-years are academically strong: the average high school GPA of enrolled students is about 3.94. Rigor of your high school record and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors, so a demanding course load matters as much as the number itself.
Is it hard to get into Spelman College?＋
Spelman is selective. It admitted about 24.9% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 2,990 offers out of just over 12,000 applications — and enrolled around 705 first-year students. Strong grades (an average GPA near 3.94) and a challenging course load are the clearest way to be competitive.
Does Spelman require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. Spelman is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores and standardized tests are only a considered (not required) factor. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1128–1303 on the SAT and 22–29 on the ACT.
Is my SAT or ACT score good enough for Spelman?＋
Spelman is test-optional, so a score is never required — but if you submit, the admitted middle 50% ranges from 1128 to 1303 on the SAT and 22 to 29 on the ACT, with a median around 1240 SAT and 25 ACT. A score above the median strengthens an application, while a below-median score is often best left off given the test-optional policy.
What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action at Spelman?＋
Spelman offers both: a binding Early Decision plan and a nonbinding Early Action plan. In the most recent Early Decision round, Spelman received 439 ED applications and admitted 127, so applying early — and committing through ED — can signal strong interest at a school that reviews applications holistically.
How much does Spelman College cost, and is financial aid available?＋
Tuition and required fees run about $31,556 per year, with on-campus housing and food adding roughly $18,091 before books and personal expenses. About 47% of first-year students receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average need-based package near $23,345.
What are the most popular majors at Spelman College?＋
The social sciences are the largest field at about 23% of bachelor's degrees, followed by psychology at 19% and the biological sciences at 14%; health professions add another 10%. Spelman, a liberal arts college, sends an outsized share of graduates into graduate and professional study, especially in the social sciences and the health sciences.
Does the essay matter when applying to Spelman?＋
Yes — the application essay is rated a very important factor in Spelman's holistic review, on par with the rigor of your high school record, your GPA, and your extracurricular activities. With a roughly 24.9% acceptance rate, a focused, authentic essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out beyond grades and scores.
Source: Spelman College Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Spelman. Banner photo by OneofaKind25, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).