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#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

SU Admission Requirements

Georgetown, Texas

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Your chances of getting into Southwestern University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

44.8%
Admission Difficulty for Southwestern University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SU is 44.8%.  Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

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

SU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,489 out of the 5,557 who applied were admitted.

Southwestern University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SU?

45% 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 Southwestern University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

SU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.5

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Southwestern University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SU are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to SU will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SU is 3.5 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 #26 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SU 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 Southwestern University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 10.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 23.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 19.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 20.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 11.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% 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 

SU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Southwestern University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 39% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1120-1355

Applicants Submitting SAT 

39%
SAT Scores for Southwestern University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 550
Composite 25th Percentile 1120
SAT Scores for Southwestern University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 685
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1355
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SU is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1120-1355. Students who get into Southwestern University score in the top 37 percent of all SAT test takers..  SU ranks #13 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1120 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1120, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Southwestern 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 1240 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 1237, you have around a 45% chance of being admitted. A 1355 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 61% chance of getting in.

Southwestern University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1355 and Above Good >61%
1237 to 1355 Avg + 45%-61%
1120 to 1237 Avg - 30%-45%
1003 to 1120 Reach 19%-30%
Less than 1003 Low <19%
Calculate My Chances 

SU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

24-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

15%
ACT Scores for Southwestern University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 24
ACT Scores for Southwestern University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SU is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 30.  The school ranks #11 in Texas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

15 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Southwestern University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Southwestern 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 SU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 45% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 61% with a 30 ACT score.

Southwestern University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >61%
27 to 30 Avg + 45%-61%
24 to 27 Avg - 30%-45%
21 to 24 Reach 18%-30%
Less than 21 Low <18%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

59% of Southwestern University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southwestern University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 28%
Top 25% of class 59%
Top 50% of class 93%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Southwestern University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,186 2,371 5,557
Accepted 1,446 1,043 2,489
Acceptance Rate 45% 44% 45%
Enrolled 229 207 436
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 20% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

72

Applicants have 72 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southwestern University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Southwestern 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 Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because SU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.5 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1240 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1355 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 27 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Southwestern University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=228343 IPEDS survey data for Southwestern University.

Last updated February 24, 2024