Cardinal Stritch University

Admissions at Cardinal Stritch University became increasingly open over time, even as its standing fell on the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. Between 2019 and 2023, the school dropped from rank 230 to rank 331. Entry was not competitive for applicants, with the institution admitting almost everyone who sought entry. In 2023, the acceptance rate reached 91.7% for men and 92.9% for women. However, the university struggled to draw admitted applicants to campus. The incoming enrolled class shrank to 102 students in 2023, down substantially from earlier cohorts. This low drawing power meant that high acceptance rates did not translate into sustained incoming enrollment. For families evaluating past trends, these figures reflected an institution with low selectivity facing steep challenges in student recruitment and national positioning.

For Cardinal Stritch University, standardized score ranges belong to 2023, reflecting accessible academic benchmarks for undergraduate admission. During that year, the middle half of enrolled students earned an ACT composite score between 18 and 19. Looking across specific sections, typical scores ranged from the mid-teens to the low twenties in both English and Math. Standardized testing was utilized by only a fraction of entering students: in 2023, 11 percent of enrolling undergraduates submitted ACT scores, while 3 percent submitted SAT scores. These figures demonstrate that standardized testing was not a demanding hurdle for acceptance, as most incoming students matriculated with modest scores or without test results playing a central role. For prospective families and applicants evaluating their academic credentials, these historical bands show that solid foundational preparation in secondary coursework was sufficient to align with the school's admissions criteria.

Families exploring alternative higher education options can consider several established institutions across the region. University of Maine is a public research university ranked 262 in the U.S. News National University rankings. For those interested in liberal arts education, Colby College holds a competitive rank of 22 among National Liberal Arts Colleges, and Bowdoin College is ranked 3rd in the same category. Another option is the University of New England, tied at 262 among National Universities.

Campus safety records indicate that Cardinal Stritch University maintained a relatively low level of reported criminal activity. By 2020, the campus crime rate per 1,000 students stood at 2.7, reflecting a peaceful campus environment with limited security disruptions. Across the three-year reporting period from 2018 to 2020, the majority of recorded incidents involved internal disciplinary actions rather than violent offenses. Substance violations constituted the largest share of reports, led by 15 drug disciplinary referrals and 10 alcohol disciplinary referrals over those years. Property crimes and other campus security infractions occurred far less frequently, consisting mainly of occasional burglaries, stalking reports, and motor vehicle thefts. Violent incidents remained virtually absent from university records. For prospective students and families reviewing campus security, historical figures demonstrate that the university experienced few serious public safety concerns, with the vast majority of official actions addressing minor substance-related policy infractions handled through administrative disciplinary procedures.