Admit rate has ranged 51%–67% 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.
The University of the South, known universally as Sewanee, is a singular liberal arts college that feels more like a scholarly, slightly eccentric village perched on a 13,000-acre mountaintop domain in Tennessee. It combines a rigorous, intimate academic culture—with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and a deep commitment to the liberal arts—with a distinct, tradition-steeped social life heavily shaped by a pervasive Greek system. This is a place where students wear academic gowns to class, debate in a mock British Parliament, and graduate into a powerful, loyal alumni network, all within the serene, almost monastic isolation of the Cumberland Plateau.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
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
1,607
In-state tuition
$56,120
Out-of-state tuition
$56,120
Graduation Rate
80%
Average Aid Package
$48,491
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$64,911
Classes Under 20 Students
65.9%
Students Receiving Sewanee Aid
98%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,911
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$22,855
Graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
83%
Pell (lower-income) share
16%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
13%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$47,595
Political Science and Government$37,568
History$37,568
International/Globalization Studies$28,960
Psychology, General$26,353
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$25,774
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
1.19
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
102
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
67.7"
Annual snow
6.1"
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at The University of the South?
The University of the South's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Sewanee, TN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for The University of the South?
Admitted students at The University of the South typically score 1260–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does The University of the South cost?
At The University of the South, the average net price (after aid) is about $27,872 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend The University of the South?
The University of the South enrolls approximately 1,607 undergraduate students.
Where is The University of the South located?
The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN.
Admissions
Sewanee's admissions process is selective but accessible, characterized by a policy that allows students to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students who do submit scores is 1260–1390, with an ACT range of 27–31. The university considers a student's academic record to be the most important factor in admissions. According to its , the rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, and application essay are all rated as "very important." Standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities are considered "important." Notably, demonstrated interest is "considered" in the evaluation process, meaning visiting campus, engaging with admissions representatives, or applying via a binding Early Decision plan can positively influence a decision. While the overall is 57%, applying Early Decision can provide a significant advantage; one source suggests Early Decision applicants may see a "70%+ boost" in their chances compared to the regular pool. The rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is reported at 26.6%.
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.
English Language and Literature, General
$25,194
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$15,922
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.
Sewanee's academic identity is firmly rooted in a traditional, rigorous liberal arts curriculum designed to develop critical thinking, creative synthesis, and refined judgment. The intimacy of the classroom is a defining feature: the student-faculty ratio is 9:1, and 65.9% of classes have fewer than 20 students. This fosters an environment where, as described by students and observers, professors are passionate and dedicated to student success. The university offers a broad range of majors and minors spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. While Sewanee is strong across the liberal arts spectrum, its academic reputation is particularly noted in fields like English, history, and the sciences. The education is described as one that prepares students for life, emphasizing leadership skills and civic engagement. Special study options include honors programs, independent study, internships, and student-designed majors, allowing for significant academic flexibility and depth.
Life on Sewanee's 13,000-acre domain is immersive, tradition-bound, and socially cohesive, creating a vibe that is both academically serious and intensely communal. The Greek system is a dominant social force, with estimates suggesting around 80% of students join a fraternity or sorority. This creates a campus culture where, as students note, "most of the campus is Greek" and "all Greek parties are open to all students," fostering a generally friendly and inclusive party scene. Social life is active, with sources indicating "tons of raging parties almost any night of the week" and "lots of options Wednesday-Saturday." Beyond Greek life, the university fosters a "civically minded campus community" dedicated to student development. The isolated, beautiful mountain setting encourages outdoor activities and a strong sense of place. Unique traditions, like wearing academic gowns to class, contribute to a distinct collegiate identity that feels separate from the outside world. The division of student life aims to build an engaged community where students grow into "curious and compassionate individuals of integrity and consequence."
Sewanee demonstrates strong student outcomes, beginning with a high graduation rate that significantly exceeds national averages. The university's six-year graduation rate is 80%, placing it in the top tier of institutions nationally (the national average six-year graduation rate is about 60-67%). Sewanee tracks a "Career Outcomes Rate," measuring the percentage of graduates who secure full-time employment, enter academic study, or pursue related endeavors within six months of graduation. This focus on post-graduate placement underscores a institutional commitment to student success beyond the degree. The median earnings for graduates ten years after entry is $64,911.
Sewanee is a high-tuition private institution, with a comprehensive (including tuition, fees, room, board, and books) estimated at $75,354. However, the university is committed to making this education accessible through substantial financial aid. Notably, 98% of enrolling full-time students receive grant or scholarship aid from Sewanee itself. The average aid package awarded is $48,491, with the average need-based scholarship or grant totaling $44,153. This brings the average after aid down to $27,872. Sewanee offers significant merit-based scholarships, with reports indicating that high-achieving students (e.g., those with 3.8+ GPAs and leadership roles) can often receive $20,000 to $40,000+ in . The university utilizes a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate their actual cost. It's important to note that while Sewanee is generous with aid, the provided sources do not explicitly state that the university has a formal "no-loan" policy or that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students.
Sewanee stands out as a complete and insular collegiate universe. It's not just a campus; it's a 13,000-acre domain with its own forests, trails, and cliffs, offering a physical and mental retreat dedicated to learning. This creates an unparalleled sense of place and community. Academically, it delivers the quintessential intimate liberal arts experience with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and small classes, but without the cutthroat pressure of some elite Northeastern peers. Socially, it has forged a unique hybrid: the intellectual seriousness and traditions (like academic gowns) of an Oxford-style college fused with the vibrant, all-inclusive Greek life of a Southern university. The result is a culture where deep academic engagement coexists with a robust, friendly party scene. Furthermore, its strong graduation rate of 80% and focused career outcomes tracking show this distinctive environment effectively prepares students for success. For a student seeking a tight-knit, tradition-rich community in a stunning natural setting, where they can be both a serious scholar and part of a pervasive social fabric, Sewanee offers an experience that is virtually unreplicable elsewhere.
The University of the South seal · sourceThe University of the South - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceFlourishing | The University of the South | Sewanee · sourceSewanee · source
