Moderately selectiveReviewed for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of the Pacific acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of the Pacific, a private college in California, reports a 71% acceptance rate and sits in the moderately selective band. In practice that means it admits more applicants than it rejects, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what University of the Pacific weighs, where it ranks among California schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1300, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
71%
Moderately selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1300
of admitted students
Type
Private
California
Selectivity in state
#29
of 61 in CA
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Will I get into University of the Pacific?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of the Pacific, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into University of the Pacific?

Your odds at University of the Pacific are not the same as its 71% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of the Pacific in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is University of the Pacific hard to get into?

University of the Pacific is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 71% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into University of the Pacific?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of the Pacific, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. University of the Pacific reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for University of the Pacific?

University of the Pacific does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1300. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of the Pacific.

Calculate your chances at University of the Pacific

What University of the Pacific looks for

What University of the Pacific weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at University of the Pacific are rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of the Pacific's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Considered
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Important
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of the Pacific

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of the Pacific
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300In the competitive admitted range
1200Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1300 SAT →Colleges for a 28 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How University of the Pacific compares in California

University of the Pacific ranks #29 most selective of 61 schools in California in our database.

Among the 61 California schools we track, University of the Pacific ranks #29 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like California Institute of Technology (3%) and Stanford University (4%) sit nearby, which makes California a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

California Institute of Technology
3%acceptance · CA
Stanford University
4%acceptance · CA
Pomona College
7%acceptance · CA
UCLA
9%acceptance · CA
University of Southern California
10%acceptance · CA
Claremont McKenna College
10%acceptance · CA
University of California, Berkeley
11%acceptance · CA
UC San Diego
27%acceptance · CA
See all California schools →

Similar to University of the Pacific

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting University of the Pacific often weigh Caldwell University, Calvin University, and Endicott College, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Caldwell University
71%acceptance · NJ
Calvin University
71%acceptance · MI
Endicott College
71%acceptance · MA
Harding University
71%acceptance · AR
Holy Family University
71%acceptance · PA
Knox College
71%acceptance · IL

Frequently asked questions

What does University of the Pacific value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of the Pacific weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does University of the Pacific consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. University of the Pacific's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at University of the Pacific?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of the Pacific specifically.

What are the admission requirements for University of the Pacific?

University of the Pacific reviews GPA, course rigor, test scores (where submitted), activities, and essays. With a more accessible acceptance rate, meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.