How to get into Adelphi University
How to get into Adelphi: a Long Island private with nursing and education pipelines that matter more than the headline rate
65.9%
Acceptance rate
$49,110
In-state cost
What makes Adelphi University admissions different
Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, Long Island — roughly 5,300 undergrads, with established programs in nursing, social work, education, business, and the arts. Adelphi admits around 66% of applicants. The big admissions story at Adelphi is program-by-program: the College of Nursing and Public Health has its own competitive pool with direct-admit status that matters, and the Honors College admits a select cohort with full and partial scholarships.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App or Adelphi's direct application. Early Action is non-binding and gives an earlier decision plus better scholarship consideration.
- 2.
Pick the right college. Nursing in particular admits directly and is meaningfully more competitive than the headline number — internal transfers into nursing are limited.
- 3.
Apply to the Honors College through its separate application if you have the profile. Honors students receive substantial scholarships and four-year cohort programming.
- 4.
Submit SAT/ACT scores if competitive. Adelphi is test-optional but scores in the published range can move merit-scholarship offers.
- 5.
Use the supplement (when offered) to engage with the program you applied to — Adelphi's Manhattan Center, the Levermore Global Scholars program, the Bridges to Adelphi program for students on the autism spectrum, or the specific clinical pipelines.
- 6.
Run the net price calculator. Adelphi's published sticker is private; merit aid (Presidential, Provost, Trustee scholarships) and need-based aid are both available.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Applying to a non-nursing program planning to transfer into nursing later. Internal transfers are competitive and the direct-admit pathway is the cleaner route.
- ✕
Skipping the Honors College application when the profile fits. Honors at Adelphi is one of the school's better scholarship pipelines.
- ✕
Treating Adelphi as 'just a backup' without engaging with what it offers. The Long Island location, the Manhattan Center, and the specific clinical and education programs are genuine strengths.
- ✕
Missing Early Action and the merit-scholarship consideration that comes with it.
The specifics for Adelphi University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
College of Nursing and Public Health
Direct-admit BSN program with clinical placements at Northwell Health and other Long Island health systems. Internal transfers into nursing are limited.
A dedicated support program for students on the autism spectrum and with related neurodiverse profiles, providing academic, social, and career coaching alongside regular undergraduate enrollment.
Levermore Global Scholars and Honors College
Levermore Global Scholars is an interdisciplinary international-affairs cohort; the Honors College offers honors seminars and substantial scholarship packages.
What graduates actually do
Adelphi graduates concentrate heavily in New York metro-area healthcare, education, social work, and the arts. The College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work are particularly strong pipelines into Long Island and NYC hospital systems and agencies. The university's performing arts and dance programs also place graduates into Broadway, regional theater, and dance companies.
Notable alumni
- Chuck Scarborough — Television news (WNBC New York)
- Jonathan Larson — Theater (Rent composer)
- Bob Saget — Comedy/acting
- Jerry Della Femina — Advertising
Transfer pathway
Adelphi accepts transfers on a rolling basis for fall and spring. The university has articulation agreements with Nassau Community College, Suffolk County Community College, and other CUNY/SUNY community colleges. A 2.5+ GPA is generally required; nursing transfers face higher selectivity and prerequisite requirements.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you have a B+ transcript and an interest in one of Adelphi's pre-professional programs (nursing, education, social work, business), you're likely to get in. The honest decision is fit (mid-size, suburban Long Island, commuter-and-residential mix) and cost (merit aid and Honors are the main affordability levers).
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.