Undergraduate Admissions FAQs

York College is a 4-year, mid-size, private college that emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning every step of the way. We infuse professional training, internships, a liberal arts foundation with our Gen Next program, and other amazing, enriching opportunities such as studying abroad, to create well-rounded, well-prepared graduates ready for today's competitive careers.

York College welcomes test-optional applicants for all of our degree programs. For our competitive majors, it is recommended that test-optional candidates submit two letters of recommendations: 1) from their school counselor and 2) from a teacher. Students should select a teacher from their 11th or 12th grade. Engineering applicants should consider selecting a math teacher.

Students that wish to apply using a test score can use the following guidelines:

• Nursing: Minimum 1100 SAT total score or ACT 22 composite score with a 3.4 GPA
• Engineering (Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical): Minimum Math 620+ SAT or Math ACT 26
• Computer Science: Minimum Math 530+ SAT or Math ACT 21
• Engineering Management: Minimum Math 590+ SAT or Math ACT 25
• Education: Minimum 980 SAT total score or ACT 19 composite score
• Forensic Chemistry: Minimum Math 560+ SAT or Math ACT 23

If you have questions, please feel free to contact your Admissions Counselor. Visit our admissions team page to find your admissions counselor, or email admissions@ycp.edu.

Yes! You can find York College on the Common App. Or just complete our application while you are here.

Future Spartans' curriculum should include a minimum of the following units: four in English, three in social studies, three in academic math (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry), three in laboratory science and two in foreign languages.

York College works under both early decision, with a deadline of November 1 and regular decision (also known as rolling admissions), in which we process applications as they are received throughout the year.

Early decision is ideal for students who:

• Want to apply to a competitive major, including Engineering, Nursing, and radiography and nuclear medicine within Health Professions. These have limited seats available. But anyone is allowed to apply early decision.
• Want to get their financial aid package earlier than they would through regular decision.
• Want to secure their seat and breathe a sigh of relief that the college search is over.

Accepting York's offer of admission as an Early Decision student is a binding agreement. Students who submit an Early Decision enrollment deposit must withdraw any applications submitted to other colleges and universities and are not permitted to submit additional applications to other institutions. Your deposit represents your commitment to attend York College.

Both options are available through our online application - just select the option you want in the drop-down menu.

York College costs less than you think for a high-quality private college. For the 2025-26 academic year, the cost for tuition and fees is $26,920 and with room and board included, it is $40,870. In addition, 99% of our students receive financial aid or scholarships, with the average first-year student receiving more than $19,000. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as well.

Yes! York offers scholarships to the majority of students. These scholarships range from $4,000-$52,000 for four years.

York offers need-based grants, federal PELL grants, Pennsylvania state grants (PHEAA), as well as federal student loans. We strongly encourage students to begin scholarship searches early in their junior year of high school as many organizations have early deadlines.

York College is a private institution. This means, whether you live in the state of Pennsylvania or live in Maryland or even California, tuition is the same for all students.

York College has approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Big enough to offer plenty of clubs, activities, sports, and campus fun, small enough that people know each other.

The average class size is 18 students. York College does not offer classes with more than 40 students. Keep that in mind when bigger universities tout small class size — they may only mean upperclass student courses, but you could be in a first-year student course with hundreds of students!

The ratio of students to faculty is approximately 13 to 1. 

91% of York College faculty hold the highest degree possible in their field, so you are being led by experts, many with a long list of real-world accomplishments to draw from as well.

While many first-year students will select a program of study, Undeclared is the largest major for incoming students at York College. Students that enter YCP as "Undeclared" initially work with the Coordinator of Undeclared Student Advising to strategically create a first semester schedule that aligns with their interests and abilities, while completing courses that will count towards graduation. Before the start of the semester, each Undeclared student is matched with a professional Academic Advisor and a Peer Advisor. The advisors support each student on a guided journey of exploration. This personalized connection and meaningful interaction makes York College distinct.

Each year more and more York students are realizing the benefits of studying in a setting apart from the United States. Presently, York College has affiliations with programs in 20+ countries, however students are able to study abroad virtually anywhere in the world and are not limited to a specific list programs. There are regularly scheduled information sessions which help students get started in the process and a Global Education Fair each fall. Opportunities include: Short Term, Summer, Semester and Full-Year Programs. This allows every interested student to participate in a Study Abroad Program.

York College is a four-year residential program. Students with a permanent address beyond 35 miles of campus are required to live on campus.

College housing includes traditional style residence halls, suites, apartments and college-owned homes on the perimeter of campus.

Yes! Campus Safety issues parking permits for a fee each academic year.

York College is a “dry campus”, no alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted on campus. This policy is regulated through the resident assistants in each housing facility, and enforced by the Department of Campus Safety.  There is one upperclass student housing facility which allows those students who are 21 or over to possess a certain quantity of alcohol.