Principia College SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
Principia requires test scores, so your SAT or ACT result is a central part of the decision, not a bonus. With a 43% admit rate, aim toward the top of the middle range: about a 1190 SAT, or a 26 ACT, paired with grades near the 3.63 average.
⬡ LangSmith3c7b9d61-7997-47d3-9b6b-29dc713eee03Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Principia College facts and stats
Principia College is a small rural institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 339 students. Principia has an 82% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 75% 6-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1. Principia is test-required for admissions.
⬡ LangSmith00c2f7d2-c914-47e7-8775-4fb1eddab719Elsah, IL
How do your scores compare at Principia?
Key Principia College application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
June 15
Early Action
December 1
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
March 3
Financial Aid Priority
March 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
Since Principia is test-required, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and the fall for retakes to improve a superscore. Because the Early Action deadline is December 1, an October retake is the safest last fall test date to have scores arrive in time.
⬡ LangSmith0de96491-3e63-41df-8cd9-57c39d270600Want to improve your scores and unlock scholarships at Principia College?
Higher test scores can mean bigger merit awards. Acely helps you get there faster.
What you'll actually pay
Principia is a private not-for-profit, so the same $34,680 tuition and fees rate applies to all students. With 90% of students receiving aid and an average merit award of $12,000, scholarships can play a meaningful role. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.
⬡ LangSmithe4955a34-4290-429d-85ca-ce1f9492bbee
Principia’s listed cost of attendance is about $48,590, including tuition, fees, room, and board. Financial aid is common, with 90% of students receiving aid and an average aid package of $30,402. Merit scholarships average $12,000, which can significantly reduce the amount families pay out of pocket.
⬡ LangSmith5edfab89-b240-4c4a-a93f-04212f8d00b6Student life at Principia College
94% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
No fraternity or sorority life on campus.
Similar schools
Hebrew Theological College
Skokie, ILAcceptance rate: 57.1%
East-West University
Chicago, ILAcceptance rate: 73.5%
Albion College
Albion, MIAcceptance rate: 80.7%
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, ILAcceptance rate: 56.8%
SAT: 1230–1400
ACT: 28–32
Unlock your future with Acely
Adaptive SAT and ACT practice that meets you where you are and gets you to your target score.