What is the acceptance rate at Carson-Newman University?

Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate is approximately 90% (Jefferson City, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Carson-Newman University?

Admitted students at Carson-Newman University typically score 955–1215 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Carson-Newman University cost?

At Carson-Newman University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,251 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Carson-Newman University?

Carson-Newman University enrolls approximately 1,387 undergraduate students.

Where is Carson-Newman University located?

Carson-Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN.

Carson-Newman University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Carson-Newman University

Jefferson City, TNprivate nonprofitwww.cn.edu/

Acceptance

90%

SAT 25–75

955–1215

Avg net price

$20,251

Earnings (10 yr)

$48,382

Graduation rate

53%

Admit rate has ranged 68%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Carson-Newman University, a Baptist-affiliated liberal arts school nestled in the foothills of Tennessee, offers a close-knit, faith-infused education with a near-open admissions policy (90% acceptance rate) and a strong emphasis on servant leadership. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and over 60 majors—notably nursing, business, and theology—it attracts students seeking a personalized, values-driven college experience. The campus buzzes with Appalachian spirit, from its 40+ student organizations to its Division II athletics, though its 53% graduation rate lags behind national averages.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 1,387
In-state tuition: $34,700
Out-of-state tuition: $34,700
Founded: 1851
Location: Jefferson City, TN
Affiliation: Baptist
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
6-Year Graduation Rate: 53%
Avg Early-Career Earnings: $36,221

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $48,382
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.4×
Median debt at graduation: $21,500
Graduation rate: 53%
First-year retention: 74%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 64%
Pell (lower-income) share: 62%
First-generation share: 35%
Endowment / student: $54,462

Financial health

2.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard

U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$50,499
Accounting and Related Services$42,682
Special Education and Teaching$37,054
Business Administration, Management and Operations$36,745
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$36,110

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 0
Per 1,000 students: 0.00

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 91
Summer high: 86°F
Winter low: 35°F
Annual rain: 51.2"
Annual snow: 6.9"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 43
Scholarly works: 549

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.5%
Bottom → top quintile: 16%
From bottom quintile: 9%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Carson-Newman University?: Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate is approximately 90% (Jefferson City, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Carson-Newman University?: Admitted students at Carson-Newman University typically score 955–1215 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Carson-Newman University cost?: At Carson-Newman University, the average net price (after aid) is about $20,251 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Carson-Newman University?: Carson-Newman University enrolls approximately 1,387 undergraduate students.
Where is Carson-Newman University located?: Carson-Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN.

Admissions

Carson-Newman’s admissions process is decidedly accessible, with a 90% acceptance rate (2,225 admitted from 2,460 applicants in a recent cycle). Test scores are middling—average SAT scores hover around 1040, ACT around 21—and over half of admitted students boast GPAs of 3.75+. Notably, the university charges no application fee, lowering barriers to entry. While the isn’t publicly hosted on their site, third-party sources confirm its near-open admissions approach, with 90.44% of applicants typically admitted. The vibe is inclusive but not overly selective, prioritizing mission fit over cutthroat competition.