Arcadia University (AU)

Black Pinpoint 450 South Easton Road | Glenside, PA | 19038

01. Overview

What the school is known for:

Lots of colleges claim to give their students a "global perspective," but Arcadia really delivers. It has a phenomenal study abroad program with "many pathways" for international study and travel. Students "tend to get addicted to it," and many go aboard two or more times during their college career. Arcadia has lots of popular and well-respected majors, including physical therapy, art, theater, and the sciences. Its "faculty and administrative staff are exceptional." Professors are "unbelievably talented" and "accessible." They're "always willing to give a helping hand in any project brought to their attention." A biology student says, "Opportunities are available to go beyond the typical classroom experience by working on individual projects or helping professors with research." Classes are small, and there are many chances for "one-on-one attention from professors." Students at Arcadia receive "a global and integrative learning experience with lots of personal attention," among people who share their "love of learning."

02. Rankings

Rankings and Lists

03. Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Applicants Icon
Applicants
5,636
Acceptance Icon
Acceptance Rate
82%
GPA Icon
Average HS GPA
3.42

SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
560 - 640

SAT Math

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
530 - 640

SAT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
1100 - 1270

ACT Composite Scores

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25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
22 - 27

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Testing Policies

Standardized testing policy for
use in admission:
Test Optional

Other Admission Factors Academic

Admission Factors Icon
Rigor of Secondary School Record
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Academic GPA
Recommendation(s)

Selectivity

4. Cost, Tuition, Expenses

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$46,430
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
On-Campus Room and Board
13720
Approximate Expenses per year
$60,150

Students Also View These Schools

05. Academics

Student Faculty Icon
Student/Faculty
10 : 1
Acceptance Icon
Total Faculty
371
Terminal Degree Icon
Terminal Degree
243

Gender

Women
230
Men
141
Minority
70
International
0

Class/Lab sizes

Most frequent class size
10-19
Most frequent lab/sub section size
10-19

Rating

Graduation Rates

University Degrees

Bachelor's
Doctoral/Professional
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

06. Student Body

What students say:

Many students go to Arcadia because of its stellar study abroad program, and it attracts people who are "independent, creative," "adventurous, and [those who] have a bit of a craziness about them." A chemistry student says, "There are a lot of weird people at Arcadia, but that's…why I feel comfortable there." Many students commute or are from the area, and lots go home on the weekends, but students are "very involved in clubs and community service" during the week. The population is predominantly female, but it's "diverse" and has a lot of international students as well as "a pretty decent gay population." There is a small divide between "athletes and art freaks," but most people think the school isn't very cliquey. What's great is, "there are always new people coming and going," so "You never feel trapped and your friend base expands every semester."

Gender

66% female34% male

Out of State

40% are out
of state
60% are
in-state

Students

90% are
full time
10% are
part time

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,831

Student Body Demographics

American Indian or Alaskan Native
0.59%
Asian
5.64%
Black
12.28%
Hispanic
10.11%
Caucasian
60.63%
Unknown
4.99%
International
1.18%

07. Mental Health

08. Campus Life

What students say:

The focal point of Arcadia's campus is the "stunning" Grey Towers Castle, which some students are lucky enough to "dorm" in. Arcadia has a large commuter population, and because so many of its students are often abroad, "there's not much to do" on campus, and it can "get very dull at times." There are, however, "weekend programs run by RAs and Student Life" that are "very fun and exciting." Luckily, Philadelphia and its excellent cultural and social options are only 20 minutes away. Some think that "the student facilities are very poor," but there is a nice "commuter lounge, which is a pretty popular place for commuters to chill and to get to know one another." Everyone agrees that "Arcadia is definitely not a party school." "Students still party," but "they simply find their own scene." "People…have their own styles," at Arcadia, and "that's a part of what makes Arcadia great." An English and secondary education major sums Arcadia up best by saying, "What really brings people here is the study abroad program. What keeps them here are the people."

Students
55%
First-Year Students
73%
Campus Environment
Suburban
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes

9. Campus Visits

Campus Visits Contact

Location Icon
Office of Enrollment Management 450 South Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038
Phone icon
215-572-2910

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center

Phone icon
215-572-2910

Campus Tours

Appointment Required:
Yes
Dates:
Year-round
Times:
Varies
Average Length:
1 hour

Visits

CLASS VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

FACULTY AND COACH VISITS

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
1 week
 

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews:
Yes
Information Sessions:
Available
Times:
Varies

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
For accepted students only in February and March

Campus Tours


TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS

By train: SEPTA's Regional Rail system is a convenient and easy way to reach campus. The closest station to campus is the Glenside Station. The Lansdale/Doylestown, Warminster and Airport rail lines stop at the Glenside Station. Trains to Glenside are available from many stations in the area, including the Philadelphia Airport, Suburban, Jefferson (formerly Market East) and 30th Street Stations in Center City Philadelphia. Use the SEPTA Trip Planner to plan your route. Campus is a short 15-minute walk from Glenside Station. After getting off of the train, walk down the stairs to Easton Road and turn right, towards Glenside Avenue. Continue along Easton Road for one mile and you will arrive on campus. By bus: SEPTA bus routes #22 and #77 stop on Easton Road directly in front of campus. From Philadelphia International Airport: Take Route 95 south to Route 476 North (Plymouth Meeting), to the PA Turnpike Interchange. At entrance, bear right, take the PA turnpike east toward NJ. Take the Fort Washington exit (#339, old #26). Proceed south on Route 309 approximately 5 miles to the second Easton Road exit (Glenside). Follow the exit ramp around onto Easton Road. Go under the Route 309 overpass and immediately bear left into the Arcadia campus.


DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO CAMPUS

From the Pennsylvania Turnpike: Take the Fort Washington exit (#339, old # 26). Proceed south on Route 309 approximately 5 miles to the second Easton Road exit (Glenside). Follow exit ramp around and immediately bear left into the Arcadia University campus. From I-95, the Tacony Palmyra Bridge or the Betsy Ross Bridge: Take Route 73 (Cottman Avenue) west to Arcadia University, located at the junction of 73 (which has then become Church Road) and Route 152 (Limekin Pike). From the Commodore Barry Bridge, Delaware or points south: Take I-95 north to 476 North (Plymouth Meeting). Take 276 East (the Pennsylvania Turnpike). Follow directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From southern New Jersey and the Walt Whitman Bridge: Follow signs from your area to the Walt Whitman Bridge. Cross bridge and follow signs for Route 76 West (Schuylkill Expressway). Follow to Lincoln Drive ((#340A, old #32); follow Lincoln Drive to Emlen Street. Turn left on Emlen (which changes to Cresheim Valley Drive) and follow until it dead-ends on Stenton Ave. Turn right on Stenten and move left immediately turning left at first light (Ivy Hill Road). Take Ivy Hill until it dead-ends and turn right on Cheltenham Ave. Turn left at first light, Easton Road. You will go through one light then pass the entrance to Route 309. Go under the Route 309 overpass amd immediately bear left into the Arcadia Campus. From northern New Jersey: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit (#6). Go west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Follow directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

At Exit 339, old 26- PA Turnpike, Fort Washington, PA -Route 309 is the Holiday Inn (432 Pennsylvania Avenue, Fort Washington, PA, 800-465-4329), and Best Western (285 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA/ 215-542-7930); Off exit 333, old 25- PA turnpike is the Doubletree Guest Suites (640 West Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 610-834-8300); At Exit 343, old 27 - PA turnpike is the Hampton Inn (1500 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA, 215-659-3535); Off Route 309- Montgomeryville, PA is located Comfort Inn (678 Bethlehem Pike, Montgomeryville, PA, 215-361-3600), and Joseph Ambler Inn (1005 Horsham Road-Route 463, North Wales, PA, 215-362-7500); and in Philadelphia is the Chestnut Hill Hotel (8229 Germantown Avenue, 215-242-5905).


10. Sports & Athletics

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Athletic Division III

Men's Sports (Scarlet Knights)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

Women's Sports (Scarlet Knights)

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Basketball
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Cross Country
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Golf
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Lacrosse
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Soccer
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Softball
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Swimming
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Tennis
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Track Field Indoor
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Track Field Outdoor
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Volleyball

11. Housing & Activities

Hosting Features

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Apartment Single
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Disabled Student
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Dorms Coed
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Dorms Female
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Other
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Wellness Housing

Special Needs Admissions

College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No

Student Activities

Number of Honor Societies
11
Number of Social Sororities
0
Number of Religious Organizations
3
Join a fraternity
0%
Join a sorority
0%

12. Student Services

CAMPUS SECURITY REPORT

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review's page on campus safety for additional resources:

Visit Page
Warning Icon

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Checkmark icon
Fee for Network Use
X Mark icon
Partnerships with Technology Companies
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Personal computer included in tuition for each student
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13. Financial Aid

Dates

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Notification DateNov 20

Required Forms

FAFSA
School

Financial Aid Statistics

Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based Aid

01 - Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
02 - Need-Based Federal Pell
03 - Need-Based Other
04 - Need-Based Private Scholarships
05 - Need-Based SEOG
06 - Need-Based State Scholarships
07 - TEACH Grant

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

01 - Direct PLUS Loans
02 - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
03 - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL):

01 - Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes

14. Career Services & Jobs

Graduation Rates

Career Services

01 - Alumni Network
02 - Alumni Services
03 - Classes
04 - Interest Inventory
05 - Internships

Opportunities at School

01 - Internship

15. Majors

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01 AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • French Studies.
  • Italian Studies.
  • Spanish and Iberian Studies.
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02 BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
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03 BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Accounting.
  • Actuarial Science.
  • Business Administration and Management, General.
  • Business/Managerial Economics.
  • Finance, General.
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce.
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
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04 COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
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05 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Computer and Information Sciences, General.
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06 EDUCATION.

  • Education, General.
  • Special Education and Teaching, General.
  • Special Education and Teaching.
  • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other.
  • Teacher Education, Multiple Levels.
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07 ENGINEERING.

  • Engineering, General.
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08 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • Creative Writing.
  • English Language and Literature, General.
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10 HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Art Therapy/Therapist.
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
  • Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator.
  • Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies.
  • Pre-Nursing Studies.
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies.
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies.
  • Public Health, General.
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11 HISTORY.

  • History, General.
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12 LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.

  • International Law and Legal Studies.
  • Pre-Law Studies.
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13 MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Mathematics, General.
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14 MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • International/Global Studies.
  • Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
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15 PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.

  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
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17 PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Chemistry, General.
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18 PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Psychology, General.
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19 SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Criminology.
  • Cultural Anthropology.
  • Political Science and Government.
  • Social Sciences, General.
  • Sociology.
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20 VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Acting.
  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
  • Art/Art Studies, General.
  • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General.
  • Graphic Design.
  • Illustration.
  • Metal and Jewelry Arts.
  • Musical Theatre.
  • Painting.
  • Photography.
  • Printmaking.

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