Is The University of the South test optional?

We haven't confirmed The University of the South's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is The University of the South's acceptance rate?

57% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 2,676 of 4,703 applicants were admitted. Applications held near 4,703, and The University of the South's admit rate went from 41% to 57%.

What ACT score do you need for The University of the South?

36% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 27–31, with a median of 29. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1210–1360 works out to about 25–30.

Does applying early decision help at The University of the South?

71% of early decision applicants were admitted (176 of 248), against 57% of all applicants. Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the real edge is smaller than the gap.

How many students get off the waitlist at The University of the South?

5 of the 49 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for The University of the South? (Middle 50%: 1210–1360)

First-year students at The University of the South who sent an SAT scored 1210–1360, with a median of 1310 (Common Data Set 2025–26). The University of the South admits 57% of applicants.

The University of the South · Sewanee, TN

Where your score lands at The University of the South

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1210–1360, median 1310

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier The University of the South is for you and whether to send your score.

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The University of the South by the numbers

Admit rate: 57%
Middle 50% SAT: 1210–1360
Median SAT: 1310
About on the ACT: 25–30
Sent an SAT: 24%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

The University of the South admit rate over 10 years

Applications held near 4,703, and The University of the South's admit rate went from 41% to 57%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	4,703	2,676	57%
2023	5,018	2,554	51%
2022	4,578	2,395	52%
2021	4,162	2,508	60%
2020	4,191	2,350	56%
2019	3,545	2,365	67%
2018	3,465	2,258	65%
2017	4,218	1,971	47%
2016	4,423	1,930	44%
2015	4,509	1,830	41%

In fall 2024, 478 of the 2,676 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at The University of the South

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1160Far reachHold
1160–1200ReachHold
1210–1300TargetHold
1310–1350TargetSend
1360 and upLikelySend

10501150125013501450

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

The University of the South SAT sections, ACT and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	575	630	690
SAT Reading and Writing	615	670	700
SAT total	1210	1310	1360
ACT composite	27	29	31

Of enrolled first-year students, 24% sent an SAT and 36% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Top 10% of their class: 27%; of new students who reported a rank

The University of the South early decision and waitlist

Early decision

176 of 248 early decision applicants were admitted.

Early decision71%
All applicants57%

Early pools often include recruited athletes and other strong applicants, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps on its own.

Waitlist

229 applicants were offered a spot, 49 took it, and 5 were admitted from it.

10%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

The University of the South cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $27,872; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 80%
Median earnings: $64,911; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 1,803

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like The University of the South

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Tennessee

Every college for an SAT of1210 1310 1360

Sources

The University of the South Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
The University of the South website
The University of the South

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1210–1360, and the median was 1310. At 1310 or higher you're above half of them. The University of the South admits 57% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$