Understanding Russell Sage College Admissions: Acceptance Rate and Key Factors

Russell Sage College, a small, private university located in Troy, New York, offers a supportive environment for students seeking career-focused education within a liberal arts framework. Understanding the college's acceptance rate and admissions criteria is crucial for prospective students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Russell Sage College's admissions landscape, encompassing acceptance rates, academic expectations, financial considerations, and campus life.

Russell Sage College: An Overview

Russell Sage College is a 4-year private university located in an urban setting. The college offers bachelor's, certificate, master's, and doctoral degrees. Known for its close-knit community, Russell Sage College prepares students for professional success. The college was established in 1916 and is affiliated with the Sage Colleges, which also includes coeducational programs at the Sage College of Albany and graduate programs at the Sage Graduate Schools. The campus, with its historical architecture and beautiful grounds, offers a picturesque setting for academic and personal growth. Russell Sage College is known for its strong undergraduate programs in fields such as business, health sciences, education, and creative arts.

Acceptance Rate: A Key Indicator

Russell Sage College is considered a fairly selective school. The college receives approximately 2,470 applications each year. The acceptance rate is around 53.25%, meaning that approximately 1,316 students are accepted annually. Of those accepted, around 19% choose to enroll.

Admissions Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants are required to submit their high school GPA. The latest reported average GPA of enrolled students was 3.21. The GPA distribution of admitted students is as follows:

3.75+: 29%
3.50-3.74: 17%
3.25-3.49: 13%
3.00-3.24: 13%
2.50-2.99: 17%
2.00-2.49: 10%
Below 2.00: At least 1%

High school rank and college prep courses are also required for admission.

Standardized Testing

Russell Sage College considers SAT/ACT scores if submitted, but they are not required. Among students who submitted test scores, the ranges typically fall between 1,020 - 1,250 for SAT and 19 - 26 for ACT. 4.7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 0.4% submitted ACT scores.

Additional Factors

Recommendations are required as part of the application process. The college also accepts Advanced Placement (AP) credits and Credit for life experiences.

Application Process

The undergraduate application fee is unknown.

Student Body Profile

Russell Sage College has a total of 1,255 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 8 international students. In 2025, the student body included:

62 students of Asian origin
145 Black American students
162 Hispanic/Latino students
38 students identified with more than one race
1 student who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
8 American Indian or Alaska Native students

The out-of-state student body percentage was 9.4%.

Read also: A Guide to Russell Sage College

Financial Information

Tuition in 2025 was $38,262 for full-time domestic students. The annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $14,636.

Financial Aid

A significant portion of students receive financial aid. In 2025:

1,014 students received need-based financial aid of any kind.
The total number of students determined to have financial need was 1,028.
Federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded totaled $3,561,298.
State need-based scholarships/grants awarded totaled $1,861,804.
623 students received institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants.
The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,441,665.

Campus Life

Russell Sage College is primarily a residential campus. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. In 2025, the college reported having 288 faculty members, including 75 men and 214 women. Russell Sage College is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. The campus is located just a few miles away from the vibrant city of Albany, offering students access to a wide range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities.

Location and Directions

Russell Sage College is located in Troy, NY. Albany International Airport is the closest airport.

Directions:

From the South: Take Exit 23 off the New York State Thruway which will lead directly onto Route 787 North. Proceed on Route 787 North to the 23rd Street Exit-Watervliet, Green Island. At the end of the 23rd Street Exit ramp turn right. Proceed to the first light, turn right and cross the Green Island Bridge to Troy. Turn right at the end of the bridge onto River Street. Follow River Street to the Troy City Hall. Just beyond the City Hall, River Street and First Street intersect. Bear left onto First Street and proceed two blocks to the light. The Admissions parking lot is to your right. The Admission House is directly across Congress Street.
From the West: Take Exit 24 off the New York State Thruway which will lead directly onto Interstate 90 East. Follow the signs for Route 787 North. Proceed on Route 787 North as noted above.
From the East: At the western end of the Massachusetts Turnpike, continue straight on the New York State Thruway Spur to the exit for Troy-B1. After you have taken Exit B1, follow signs for 90 West. Proceed on 90 West to the exit for Route 787 North. Proceed on Route 787 as noted above.
From the North and Route 7: Exit from Route 87 (Northway) at Exit 7, Route 7 East. Take Route 7 East to the exit ramp marked Downtown Troy. Continue straight off the Downtown Troy exit ramp to the third traffic light. The next street is Broadway; turn right. Take Broadway to the end; you will be facing the Troy City Hall. Turn left and proceed straight on First Street to the traffic light; the Admission House parking lot will be to your right.

Retention and Graduation Rates

The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. The graduation rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe.

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Majors

Russell Sage College offers undergraduate degrees in 58 majors. One of its top majors is Psychology, Other.

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