Arcadia University

Arcadia University Financial Aid

Students who are applying for financial aid at Arcadia University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.

The FAFSA code for Arcadia University is 003235.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

Using State Grants at Arcadia

Pennsylvania residents considering Arcadia should be sure to look at Pennsylvania state grant programs. Two of the biggest educational grant programs in PA are PHEAA and TIP. PHEAA offers funding for Pennsylvania students who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution and program approved by PHEAA. Students must meet certain academic and financial criteria in order to qualify. TIP, also known as PA-TIP, offers funding to students pursuing a degree in a field that the state designates as high-demand. Here are those fields in 2024:

• Energy
• Health
• Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing
• Agriculture and Food Production

Pell Grants at Arcadia University

36% of students at Arcadia University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Arcadia University.

You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Arcadia students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

1148 is the median SAT score and 25 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Arcadia. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Coalition Colleges

Arcadia is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Arcadia via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Is Arcadia test-optional?

Arcadia University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Arcadia University?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Arcadia University receive between a 24 and a 29 on their ACT, or a 1049 and a 1275 on their SAT.

Rolling deadline at Arcadia

Arcadia University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Arcadia's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.

What is the graduation rate at Arcadia University?

64% of students who start at Arcadia University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Arcadia University go on to earn?

10 years after starting school at Arcadia University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $58,336. This is $7,945 more than the national median.

Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at Arcadia take out in loans?

Graduates of Arcadia have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.