Great Minds. Greater Purpose. Welcome to the Class of 2030.

Seton Hall University is welcoming approximately 1,560 first-year students to campus, representing 42 states and 17 countries. The Class of 2030 was selected from a pool of 28,070 applicants, approximately 2,300 more than the year prior, another sign of growing interest in a Seton Hall education.

That growth has been accompanied by increased selectivity. The University’s admission rate has fallen from 79 percent in 2023 to 67.5 percent in 2026, a decline of nearly 12 percentage points in three years. At the same time, the academic profile of incoming students remains strong, continuing a broader trend of gains over the past decade.

“Seton Hall is proud to welcome the Class of 2030, an accomplished and diverse group of students who bring tremendous talent, ambition and greater purpose to our community,” said Kathleen (Katie) McCarthy, M.B.A. ’17, vice president for enrollment management. “We look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”

Among the 33 percent of incoming students who submitted standardized test scores, the average SAT score was 1323 and the average ACT score was 29. The average high school GPA for the incoming class is 3.68, up from 3.55 in 2016.

A University of Opportunity
The Class of 2030 also reflects Seton Hall’s longstanding role as a university of opportunity, bringing together students from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. More than 40 percent of incoming freshmen are the first in their families to attend college and 41 percent are Pell Grant-eligible.

The class reflects the inclusion of the communities Seton Hall serves, with 62 percent of incoming students identifying as students of color and 61 percent identifying as female. These varied perspectives and experiences strengthen classroom discussions, campus life and the University community.

Founded in 1856, Seton Hall remains grounded in its Catholic mission and its commitment to being a home for the mind, heart and spirit. Guided by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and our patroness and intercessor, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the University welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds into a community that encourages intellectual growth, service to others and the pursuit of greater purpose.

Categories: Campus Life