Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri · Private · 4,624 undergraduates · lindenwood.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Acceptance rate
57%
of applicants
Annual cost (2027-28)
$42,410Est.Estimate
before aid
Lindenwood University is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. Its acceptance rate is 57%. The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 22 to 28. A year in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $42,410 before financial aid.
Updated
Your chances and merit aid at Lindenwood University
See your chances of admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
57% of applicants admitted
Target
Your ACT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
$8,500
a year, from the First-Year Merit Scholarship
Your cost after merit aid
$33,910
a year in 2027-28, from a $42,410 sticker price
What to do with your 1200
Not enough data to advise
There isn't enough data on this college's freshmen to say whether sending your SAT helps.
Fine-tune this advice
Named scholarships you may qualify for (2)
Missouri Boys State and Missouri Girls State Scholarship
$1,000 a year
You meet the GPA and score minimums. Also needs other requirements.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your GPA, test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
Source: Freshman Admissions | Test-Optional Policy | Lindenwood University · Checked November 3, 2026
Acceptance rate
57%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
ACT composite 22 to 28
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$42,410
a year
- Tuition$24,300
What families pay after aid
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24, by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$20,433
- $30,001 to $48,000$17,321
- $48,001 to $75,000$17,077
- $75,001 to $110,000$22,132
- Over $110,000$25,012
Financial aidEstimate
56%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
99%
of freshmen receive grants
$14,626
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
First-Year Merit Scholarship
$2,000 to $12,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 4.00+ GPA, GPA greater than 4.00 (exclusive)$12,000
- 3.80 to 4.00 GPA$10,500
- 3.50 to 3.79 GPA$8,500
- 3.00 to 3.49 GPA$7,500
- 2.50 to 2.99 GPA$3,500
- GPA below 2.50$2,000
To keep it: stay in good academic standing (not on academic probation).
DetailsMissouri Boys State and Missouri Girls State Scholarship
$1,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- Missouri Boys State or Girls State citizen who earned college credit
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, and live in on-campus housing.
DetailsLionheart Scholarship Competition
$1,000 to $5,000 a year
Competitive · Application required
Deadline: Apply for admission by December 1; resume and essay by February 1.
Details
Missouri programs for residents
Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight)
$1,000 to $3,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 1600+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Tier 1 (top 3% of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri$3,000
- 1590+ SAT or 31+ ACT, Tier 2 (4th-5th percentile of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri$1,000
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
37 of 37
Earn credit with a score of 3
36 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $2,430Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | AAD 10600 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | AAD 13600 |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | AFAM 20000 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ARTH 11000 |
| Biology | 3 | 3 | BSC 11000 |
| Biology | 4 | 4 | BSC 10000 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 | MTH 15200 |
| Calculus AB | 4 | 5 | MTH 27100 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 5 | MTH 27100 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 10 | MTH 27100 & MTH 27200 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | CHM 10500 |
| Chemistry | 4 | 3 | CHM 23000 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | CHI 20200 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | ELECT 10000 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CSC 14400 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSC 10022 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | AAD 13000 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 15000 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | GE 11006 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | CHM 11100 |
| Environmental Science | 4 | 4 | BSC 11200 |
| European History | 3 | 3 | GE 11003 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | FRE 20200 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | GER 20200 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEO 10300 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 23030 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 23020 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 14101 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | PHY 25100 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | PHY 25200 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHY 30200 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHY 30100 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 3 | MTH 15100 |
| Pre-Calculus | 4 | 3 | MTH 15200 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 10000 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | ELECT 10000 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | ELECT 10000 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 20200 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | GE 21007 |
| Statistics | 4 | 3 | MTH 14100 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PS 15500 |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | GE 11004 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | HIST 10100 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
56%
Come back for a second year
66%
Typical earnings
$58,321
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Lindenwood University$68,248
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 24 majors here have earnings data.
Common questions about Lindenwood University
Is Lindenwood University test optional for fall 2027?
Yes. Lindenwood University is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score.
What SAT score do you need to get into Lindenwood University?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 22 to 28. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What ACT score do you need to get into Lindenwood University?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 22 to 28. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What is the acceptance rate at Lindenwood University?
The acceptance rate at Lindenwood University is 57%.
How much does Lindenwood University cost?
A year at Lindenwood University in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $42,410 before financial aid. After grants and scholarships, freshmen who got federal aid paid $21,443 a year on average.
Does Lindenwood University offer merit scholarships?
Yes. Lindenwood University offers 3 merit scholarships, including the First-Year Merit Scholarship, the Missouri Boys State and Missouri Girls State Scholarship and the Lionheart Scholarship Competition. Some are awarded automatically from your GPA and test scores.
Does Lindenwood University give credit for AP exams?
Yes. Lindenwood University gives credit for all 37 AP exams it lists. 36 exams earn credit with a score of 3; the rest need a 4 or 5.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Lindenwood University.