AU Admission Requirements

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Anderson, SC
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#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

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AU Admission Overview

AU admission requirements are competitive. Last year AU admitted 54.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (A-) and SAT 1100-1280 / ACT 22-29. AU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

54.7%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The AU acceptance rate is 54.7%. Last year, 2,488 of 4,548 applicants were admitted. That is the 5th lowest acceptance rate in South Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

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

AU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Anderson University typically 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. 33% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.72

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.72

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at AU typically have around a 3.72 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. AU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #10 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Anderson University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

AU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1100-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

45%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 560
Math 540
Composite 1100

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 650
Math 630
Composite 1280

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at AU typically score around a 1190 SAT (middle 50% 1100–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 74th percentile nationally. AU ranks #6 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1100 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

AU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1190 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Anderson University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1280+	Above 75th	>70%
1190 to 1280	Avg +	55%-70%
1100 to 1190	Avg -	39%-55%
Below 1100	Below mid-50	<39%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

AU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-29

Freshmen reporting ACT

32%

25th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 20
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 29
Math 26
Composite 29

Average ACT

Incoming testers at AU typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. AU places #6 among colleges in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 29

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to AU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Anderson University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29+	Above 75th	>72%
25 to 29	Avg +	55%-72%
22 to 25	Avg -	41%-55%
Below 22	Below mid-50	<41%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the AU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Anderson University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,921	1,627	4,548
Accepted	1,575	913	2,488
Acceptance Rate	54%	56%	55%
Enrolled	490	319	809
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	31%	35%	33%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Anderson University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Anderson University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

AU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 54.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.72 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1100-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025