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#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University Admission Requirements

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Southeast Missouri State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

86.3%
Admission Difficulty for Southeast Missouri State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Southeast Missouri State University is 86.3%.  Its admission rate is the 34th lowest in Missouri.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Southeast Missouri State University and can you get accepted?

Southeast Missouri State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 6,121 out of the 7,092 who applied were admitted.

Southeast Missouri State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Southeast Missouri State University?

86% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Southeast Missouri State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.53 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1080 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Southeast Missouri State University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.53

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Southeast Missouri State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Southeast Missouri State University are to have around a 3.53 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.53 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Southeast Missouri State University accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Southeast Missouri State University is 3.53 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in Missouri for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Southeast Missouri State University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Southeast Missouri State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 20.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 11.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 4.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Southeast Missouri State University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Southeast Missouri State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 14% of students submitted SAT scores and 69% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

970-1180

Applicants Submitting SAT 

14%
SAT Scores for Southeast Missouri State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 490
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 970
SAT Scores for Southeast Missouri State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 590
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1180
Average SAT Score 1080

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Southeast Missouri State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University is 1080 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 970-1180. Students who get into Southeast Missouri State University score in the top 66 percent of all SAT test takers..  Southeast Missouri State University ranks #23 in the state of Missouri for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1080 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Southeast Missouri State University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 970 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 970, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 860, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Southeast Missouri State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1080 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1075, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1180 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

Southeast Missouri State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1180 and Above Good >92%
1075 to 1180 Avg + 86%-92%
970 to 1075 Avg - 76%-86%
865 to 970 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 865 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

Southeast Missouri State University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

69%
ACT Scores for Southeast Missouri State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for Southeast Missouri State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 24
Math 75th Percentile 23
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Southeast Missouri State University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Southeast Missouri State University is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 24.  The school ranks #33 in Missouri for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 69 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Southeast Missouri State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Southeast Missouri State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Southeast Missouri State University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 24 ACT score.

Southeast Missouri State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >93%
20 to 24 Avg + 86%-93%
17 to 20 Avg - 78%-86%
14 to 17 Reach 67%-78%
Less than 14 Low <67%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

78% of Southeast Missouri State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 46% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southeast Missouri State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 46%
Top 50% of class 78%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Southeast Missouri State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,356 2,603 7,092
Accepted 3,846 2,261 6,121
Acceptance Rate 88% 87% 86%
Enrolled 883 564 1,447
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 25% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

188

Applicants have 188 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southeast Missouri State University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Southeast Missouri State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Southeast Missouri State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Southeast Missouri State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Southeast Missouri State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.53 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1080 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Southeast Missouri State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=179557 IPEDS survey data for Southeast Missouri State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024