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#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

AU Admission Requirements

Anderson, South Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Anderson University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

52.8%
Admission Difficulty for Anderson University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at AU is 52.8%.  Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in South Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into AU and can you get accepted?

AU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,499 out of the 4,732 who applied were admitted.

Anderson University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.72. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 34% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into AU?

53% 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 Anderson University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.72 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1190 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

AU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.72

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Anderson University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into AU are to have around a 3.72 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as AU accepts 53% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at AU is 3.72 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since AU 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 3.7 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 Anderson University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 11.25% Good
3.75 to 3.99 41.3% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 26.91% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.88% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.62% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.94% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.13% 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 2024

Calculate My Chances 

AU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Anderson University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 45% of students submitted SAT scores and 36% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1290

Applicants Submitting SAT 

45%
SAT Scores for Anderson University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 560
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for Anderson University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1290
Average SAT Score 1190

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Anderson University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at AU is 1190 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1290. Students who get into Anderson University score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  AU ranks #6 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1190 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. AU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 990, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Anderson 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 1190 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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 1190, you have around a 53% chance of being admitted. A 1290 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 68% chance of getting in.

Anderson University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1290 and Above Good >68%
1190 to 1290 Avg + 53%-68%
1090 to 1190 Avg - 37%-53%
990 to 1090 Reach 24%-37%
Less than 990 Low <24%
Calculate My Chances 

AU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

36%
ACT Scores for Anderson University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 20
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Anderson University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into AU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to AU is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 28.  The school ranks #6 in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

36 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Anderson University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Anderson 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 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into AU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 53% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 68% with a 28 ACT score.

Anderson University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >68%
25 to 28 Avg + 53%-68%
22 to 25 Avg - 37%-53%
19 to 22 Reach 24%-37%
Less than 19 Low <24%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

62% of Anderson University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Anderson University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 39.79%
Top 25% of class 61.75%
Top 50% of class 86%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Anderson University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,028 1,704 4,732
Accepted 1,568 931 2,499
Acceptance Rate 52% 55% 53%
Enrolled 502 347 849
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 32% 37% 34%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Anderson University is $40.

Application Requirements

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

Anderson 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Anderson University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because AU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.72 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1190 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1290 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 25 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Anderson University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=217633 IPEDS survey data for Anderson University.

Last updated February 24, 2025