John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
John Jay is test-optional, but at a 57% admit rate and a 3.17 average entering GPA, a score above its published middle 50% range can still strengthen your application. If your grades are near the middle, treat the SAT or ACT as a chance to add evidence, not a requirement to prove you belong.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York facts and stats
John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York enrolls about 11,942 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. John Jay has an 82% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%. Its 6-year graduation rate is 56%, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.
New York, NY
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Key John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
February 1
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
February 1
Financial Aid Priority
May 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional John Jay, plan your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and the fall of senior year for superscore-minded retakes. Because Regular Decision is due February 1, a December retake is typically the last test date likely to arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
At John Jay, in-state tuition is $6,930 and out-of-state tuition is $14,880. About 79% of students receive aid, with an average merit award of $1,486. Submit the FAFSA by the May 1 priority deadline to be considered for financial aid.
For out-of-state students, tuition at John Jay is $14,880, while New York residents pay $6,930. Room and board adds about $22,260, so living arrangements can significantly affect the total price. About 79% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $5,877. Merit awards are relatively modest, averaging $1,486.
Student life at John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
1% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: No guarantee
No fraternity or sorority life on campus.
Similar schools
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Flushing, NYAcceptance rate: 85%
SAT: 909–1293
ACT: 16–25
Adelphi University
Garden City, NYAcceptance rate: 65.9%
SAT: 1120–1330
ACT: 24–30
Acceptance rate: 77.5%
Acceptance rate: 100%
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