St. John’s University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Published tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships and their qualifying criteria
- Competitive flagship awards and scholarship programs
- How to stack institutional, state, and external aid
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~80-84%
- Published Middle 50% ACT: 23–29 (for test-submitters)
- Published Middle 50% SAT: ~1090–1290 (for test-submitters)
- Average HS GPA (middle range): ~3.4–3.9
Source: St. John’s Common Data Set & BigFuture overview. “Middle 50%” refers to the score range for the central half of admitted students who submitted scores.
St. John’s at a Glance
Last verified: October 17, 2025
St. John’s blends its Catholic mission with a robust scholarship program: all admitted students are reviewed for academic scholarships, and competitive awards like the Presidential Scholarship can cover full tuition. Many families reduce their final bill well below sticker through grant stacking.
Use this guide to align deadlines, qualify for automatic vs. competitive awards, and stack institutional, state, and external funding in smart sequence.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — submitting SAT or ACT is optional for 2025–26; test scores may help in scholarship review if submitted.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: ~23–29; SAT: ~1090–1290 (for test-submitters).
What’s the average net price? Roughly $26,986/year after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid (based on BigFuture/IPEDS).
Does tuition differ by state? No — as a private institution, St. John’s charges the same tuition rate for all U.S. students.
St. John’s University — Estimated 2025–26 Cost of Attendance: https://www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition/2025-26-estimated-annual-cost-attendance
St. John’s University — Room and Board Rates: https://www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition/room-and-board
St. John’s University Common Data Set 2024–25: https://www.stjohns.edu/about/university-facts/common-data-set
BigFuture (College Board) — St. John’s University Net Price & Aid Data: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/st-johns-university-queens/tuition-and-costs
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — St. John’s University: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?195809-St-Johns-University-New-York
💰 Cost of Attendance at St. John’s University (Queens Campus)
| Category (2025–26 Estimate) | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits) | $53,980 | $53,980 |
| Housing & Meals (typical plan) | $17,700 | $13,620 |
| Total Direct Cost (before aid) | $71,680 | $67,600 |
Note: These totals include only tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals billed directly by the university. Additional indirect expenses—such as books (~$1,100), transportation (~$2,800), and personal costs (~$2,100)—are not paid to St. John’s but are part of your total financial-aid budget.
That’s what families actually paid after grants and scholarships — excluding loans — based on the most recent U.S. Dept. of Education data (2022–23).
St. John’s uses both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for its need-based grants and scholarships. The CSS Profile asks for more detailed family financial data than the FAFSA. See our step-by-step CSS Profile guide for tips and deadlines.
Cost & Aid FAQs
Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state students?
Yes — St. John’s is a private university and charges one rate for all U.S. students.
What credit load does this cover?
Full-time undergraduates taking 12–18 credits per semester under block tuition.
Can New York state grants stack with SJU aid?
Yes — programs like TAP or Excelsior typically stack with institutional scholarships to further reduce the final cost.
St. John’s University — Estimated 2025–26 Cost of Attendance: https://www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition/2025-26-estimated-annual-cost-attendance
St. John’s University — Room and Board Rates: https://www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition/room-and-board
St. John’s University Common Data Set 2024–25: https://www.stjohns.edu/about/university-facts/common-data-set
U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Net Price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?195809-St-Johns-University-New-York
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
St. John’s automatically reviews every admitted first-year for institutional merit—no separate application. The University does not publish GPA/test cutoffs or dollar tiers; awards are set by holistic review and major/college. Renewal standards for named awards are clearly stated.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Achievement Scholarship | University-set (not publicly tiered) | Automatic for admitted first-years based on overall academic record (curriculum rigor, GPA, context) | No | Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA and full-time status | Admitted students with strong coursework and grades across subjects |
| Provost / Scholastic Excellence / St. Vincent de Paul (institutional merit tiers) | University-set (not publicly tiered) | Automatic merit consideration from the admission file; award level varies by college/major and applicant strength | No | Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA and full-time status | Top admits by college/major; strongest rigor and grades |
| National Merit Finalist Scholarship | University amount (set by SJU) | National Merit Finalist who lists St. John’s as first-choice; admitted for fall entry | No | Yes — maintain good standing | Finalists who designate SJU as first choice |
| Catholic High School Scholarship | $3,000/year (up to $12,000 over 4 years) | Incoming first-year graduating from a Catholic high school; full-time enrollment | No — automatic with admission (eligibility check) | Yes — remain in good academic standing | Catholic HS graduates enrolling the fall after graduation |
Notes: St. John’s does not publish fixed GPA/test cutoffs or dollar bands for its first-year merit program. Renewal GPAs (3.0 for the named merit tiers above) and full-time enrollment are published requirements.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Are test scores required for merit?
No. St. John’s is test-optional; strong scores can help, but awards are based on the total academic profile.
Can automatic merit stack with the Catholic High School Scholarship?
Yes, institutional merit can stack with the $3,000/year Catholic HS award (subject to overall aid limits).
What keeps my award each year?
Maintain full-time status and at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA for the named merit tiers.
Superscore FAQs
Does St. John’s superscore the SAT?
Yes—it combines your best section scores across multiple SAT test dates to form your highest possible composite score.
Does St. John’s superscore the ACT?
No—it does not. You should choose and submit only your highest composite ACT score.
How does this affect scholarship consideration?
Since St. John’s reviews merit based on your strongest academic profile, submitting a superscored SAT can help raise your chances—though GPA and course rigor remain primary factors. ACT is also considered, but only your chosen score will be evaluated.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These scholarships are selective and require separate applications, essays, or interviews. They are limited in number and usually replace automatic merit aid.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full tuition | Incoming first-year; exceptional academics, leadership, service | Yes — app, essay, interview | Yes | 3.9+ GPA*, ACT 30+/SAT 1380+*, strong leadership/service |
| Ozanam Scholars Program | Full tuition + research/service | First-year admits with deep record of social justice & service | Yes — essays & interview | Yes | 3.6+ GPA*, ACT 28+/SAT 1300+*, sustained service & leadership |
| Catholic Scholars Program | $5,000/year | Incoming first-year; commitment to Catholic service/leadership | Yes — essay | Yes | 3.5+ GPA*, leadership in parish/ministry/service |
*GPA/test score bands are estimates based on past profiles and St. John’s guidance. Official cutoffs are not published; selection is holistic and competitive.
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Do I need test scores?
No. St. John’s is test-optional; GPA, rigor, essays, and leadership carry more weight.
Can I keep my automatic merit if I win one of these?
No. Full-tuition awards like Presidential or Ozanam replace institutional merit. Outside state/federal aid may still stack.
What are the deadlines?
Most applications/interviews run in January–February; check St. John’s portal for current year dates.
⭐ College Specialty
St. John’s is a private Catholic university in New York City with a strong reputation for blending academics, professional preparation, and Vincentian service values. Students often choose St. John’s for its nationally recognized programs in pharmacy, business, and law, as well as for the global opportunities offered through its campuses in Rome, Paris, and Limerick.
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — One of the largest and most respected Catholic pharmacy schools in the U.S., consistently ranked among the Top 60 pharmacy programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Known for strong clinical placements across New York and integrated research opportunities. (Note: St. John’s is classified as a private R2 research university, not R1.)
- Tobin College of Business: AACSB-accredited; Finance and Risk Management programs recognized regionally, with strong NYC internship pipelines.
- School of Law: Ranked among the Top 100 U.S. law schools by U.S. News; known for bankruptcy law and alumni in New York’s legal community.
- Sport Management: One of the first accredited sport management programs in the U.S., leveraging New York’s professional sports market.
- Global Campuses: St. John’s has permanent campuses in Rome, Paris, and Limerick, offering unique study abroad programs embedded into the curriculum.
Why this matters for families: These programs connect directly to New York’s industries—hospitals, law firms, financial institutions, and sports organizations—helping students turn internships into career pathways before graduation.
🎖️ Honors College
St. John’s offers a selective Honors Program that provides high-achieving students with an enriched academic experience. Honors students benefit from small seminar-style classes, mentorship from faculty, priority course registration, and special research and travel opportunities. Admission is by invitation or application after admission to the university.
High school GPA of 3.6–3.9*, strong AP/IB or honors coursework, leadership in service or extracurricular activities, and strong writing ability shown through essays. Some students apply directly; others are invited after admission review.
- Priority registration and early course selection
- Small, seminar-style honors classes
- Dedicated honors advising and faculty mentorship
- Research and thesis funding support
- Study abroad opportunities tied to honors curriculum
- Special honors housing and community events
| Program | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Honors Program | No direct scholarship (perks only) | Incoming first-year admits or current students with high GPA (3.5+) | Yes – invitation or separate application | N/A | High-achieving, service-minded students with rigorous coursework* |
*GPA/test bands and award amounts are estimates based on past cohorts and official program guidance. Exact thresholds are not publicly listed and may vary year to year.
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Some high-achieving students are invited, but many must apply separately with essays and recommendations.
Does being in Honors add extra time to graduation?
No—the seminars replace certain core classes, so most students still graduate on time.
Are scholarships tied to Honors?
Yes—select programs like the Ozanam Scholars Program are linked directly to Honors participation and provide additional funding.
When do I apply?
Most students apply at the same time as their general St. John’s admission application; current students may apply after their first semester if they meet GPA requirements.