Your chances of getting into Carson Newman College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Carson-Newman College is 68.3%. Its admission rate is the 23rd lowest in Tennessee.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Carson-Newman College and can you get accepted?
Carson-Newman College is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 2,042 out of the 2,991 who applied were admitted.
Carson Newman College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.6. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Carson-Newman College?
68% 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.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Carson Newman College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.6 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1040 on the SAT
- Score 22 on the ACT
Carson-Newman College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Carson Newman College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Carson-Newman College are to have around a 3.6 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 Carson-Newman College accepts 68% of students who apply.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Carson-Newman College is 3.6 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. 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 Tennessee for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Carson-Newman College 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 3.6 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.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Carson-Newman College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Carson Newman College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 10% of students submitted SAT scores and 72% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 480 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 460 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 940 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 570 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 560 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1130 |
| Average SAT Score | 1040
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Carson Newman College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Carson-Newman College is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 940-1130. Students who get into Carson Newman College score in the top 71 percent of all SAT test takers.. Carson-Newman College ranks #28 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Carson-Newman College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 940 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 940, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 840, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Carson Newman College 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 1040 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance 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 1035, you have around a 68% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 80% chance of getting in.
Carson-Newman College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 17 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 17 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 19 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 25 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 24 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 25 |
| Average ACT Score | 22
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Carson-Newman College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Carson-Newman College is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 25. The school ranks #14 in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.
Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 72 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Carson Newman College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Carson Newman College 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 classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Carson-Newman College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 68% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 80% with a 25 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,705 | 1,286 | 2,991 |
| Accepted | 1,185 | 857 | 2,042 |
| Acceptance Rate | 70% | 67% | 68% |
| Enrolled | 170 | 197 | 367 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 14% | 23% | 18% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Carson Newman College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Carson Newman College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| 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 considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Carson-Newman College is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.6 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1040 on the SAT and 22 on the ACT will further lock in your application.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Carson Newman College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=219806 IPEDS survey data for Carson Newman College.
Last updated February 24, 2025