Admit rate has ranged 66%–74% over the last 4 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.
Southern Adventist University, nestled in Collegedale, Tennessee, is a Seventh-day Adventist institution where faith and academics intertwine with a laid-back, community-focused vibe. With a 65% acceptance rate and strong programs in nursing, business, and biomedical sciences, it attracts students seeking a values-driven education amid the rolling hills of the South. The campus hums with spiritual convocations, a 43,000-square-foot student center, and a 94% post-graduation placement rate—proof that small classes and Adventist principles can yield big outcomes.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
2,773
In-state tuition
$27,300
Out-of-state tuition
$27,300
Acceptance Rate
65%
Notable Programs
Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Business
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
51%
Post-Grad Placement Rate
94%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,723
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$24,500
Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
83%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
63%
Pell (lower-income) share
60%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$23,344
Financial health
2.2 / 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$53,579
Business Administration, Management and Operations$34,530
Theological and Ministerial Studies$32,925
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.36
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
95
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
38°F
Annual rain
56"
Annual snow
2.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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
31
Scholarly works
405
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
2.4%
Bottom → top quintile
28%
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 Southern Adventist University?
Southern Adventist University's acceptance rate is approximately 66% (Collegedale, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Southern Adventist University?
Admitted students at Southern Adventist University typically score 1020–1300 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Southern Adventist University cost?
At Southern Adventist University, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,345 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Southern Adventist University?
Southern Adventist University enrolls approximately 2,773 undergraduate students.
Where is Southern Adventist University located?
Southern Adventist University is located in Collegedale, TN.
Admissions
Southern Adventist University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, accepting about 65% of applicants—though rates fluctuate slightly by gender (71% for female applicants). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010–1290 on the SAT or 19–25 on the ACT, with minimum thresholds set at 880 (SAT) or 16 (ACT). The university welcomes a mix of first-time freshmen, transfers, and non-traditional students, including homeschooled and GED graduates. Notably, test scores are optional for applicants with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, reflecting a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process.
SAU offers 50+ undergraduate majors, with nursing, biomedical sciences, and business dominating student preferences. The ensures intimate class sizes—58% have fewer than 20 students—while programs like allied health and computing leverage hands-on learning. The curriculum balances professional preparation with Adventist values, requiring religion courses and chapel attendance. Unique offerings include a tailored for pre-med students and a robust serving future teachers and counselors.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life at SAU orbits around the Bietz Center for Student Life, a 43,000-square-foot hub with study lounges, dining options, and student services. The campus culture prioritizes spiritual growth—mandatory convocations and Sabbath observance shape weekly rhythms—while clubs and intramurals foster camaraderie. Dining halls adhere to Adventist dietary principles (vegetarian-friendly, no pork). Reviews highlight a tight-knit, respectful community where ‘difference’ is embraced, though social life leans quieter, with no Greek system and alcohol-free policies.
SAU reports a 94% placement rate for graduates (employment or further education), though its 6-year graduation rate lags at 51%—below national averages. Pell Grant recipients graduate at 53%, slightly outpacing their peers. The university emphasizes career-ready outcomes, with nursing and business alumni often securing roles within Adventist healthcare systems or schools. While retention rates aren’t published, the modest graduation metrics suggest some students transfer or pause studies, common at faith-based institutions with non-traditional populations.
Tuition runs $38,300 annually, but 58% of students receive aid, slashing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $25,374. The university awards $16,300 in average scholarships/grants, with additional work-study opportunities (typically $2,500/year). Adventist students often qualify for denominational grants. The net price calculator helps families budget, though SAU’s cost remains steep for a regional university—justified, administrators argue, by its faith-integrated education and high job-placement rates.
SAU carves a niche as the Adventist South’s academic anchor, blending conservative theology with career-focused majors. Its nursing program feeds into Adventist Health System hospitals, while the weekend Sabbath observance (no classes or work from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) creates a distinct rhythm. The university’s 94% job-placement rate defies its modest graduation stats, suggesting graduates who persist land firmly on their feet. For students seeking a faith-infused education with strong professional networks—and don’t mind meatless Mondays—SAU delivers.
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