Southern Adventist University Admission Requirements

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Collegedale, TN
  • 0 reviews
#11 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Southern Adventist University Admission Overview

Southern Adventist University admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Southern Adventist University admitted 65.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.59 GPA (A-) and SAT 1020-1300 / ACT 19-25. Southern Adventist University 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

Southern Adventist University Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

65.5%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Southern Adventist University

Acceptance Rate

The Southern Adventist University acceptance rate is 65.5%. Last year, 1,904 of 2,907 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Southern Adventist University and can you get accepted?

Southern Adventist University is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Southern Adventist University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.59. 37% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Southern Adventist University GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.59

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.59

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Southern Adventist University typically have around a 3.59 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. Southern Adventist University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #19 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Southern Adventist University SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1020-1300

Freshmen who sent SAT

46%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 530
  • Math 490
  • Composite 1020
SAT 25th percentile scores for Southern Adventist University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 660
  • Math 640
  • Composite 1300
SAT 75th percentile scores for Southern Adventist University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Southern Adventist University typically score around a 1160 SAT (middle 50% 1020–1300) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 69th percentile nationally. Southern Adventist University ranks #12 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1020 to 1300

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Southern Adventist University 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 1160 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 Southern Adventist University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1300+ Above 75th >78%
1160 to 1300 Avg + 65%-78%
1020 to 1160 Avg - 49%-65%
Below 1020 Below mid-50 <49%

What do these figures mean?

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

Southern Adventist University ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

60%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 18
  • Math 17
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for Southern Adventist University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 25
  • Composite 25
ACT 75th percentile scores for Southern Adventist University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Southern Adventist University typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Southern Adventist University places #17 among colleges in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Southern Adventist University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 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 Southern Adventist University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
25+ Above 75th >78%
22 to 25 Avg + 65%-78%
19 to 22 Avg - 49%-65%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <49%

How to read these figures

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

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 Southern Adventist University chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Southern Adventist University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,509 1,205 2,907
Accepted 1,069 832 1,904
Acceptance Rate 71% 69% 65%
Enrolled 372 331 703
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 35% 40% 37%

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

Application Requirements

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

Southern Adventist 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 considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

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

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southern Adventist University is $25.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Southern Adventist 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

Southern Adventist University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 65.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.59 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1020-1300); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Southern Adventist University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=221661.

GPA calculator: Southern Adventist University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026