Southern Adventist University 2026 Admission 66%, Cost $35k

65.50%

Acceptance Rate

$10,325

Avg.Financial Aid

003518

FAFSA Code

College Search

★ Southern Adventist University Report Card

Selectivity

—

65.5% acceptance rate

Academics

49% graduation rate

Class Size

C+

13:1 student-faculty ratio

Value

B+

$27,300 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

★ Key Facts: Southern Adventist University

Institution: Southern Adventist University
Type: Private not-for-profit

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Southern Adventist University

Type Control of Institution - Public/Private
Private, Not-For-Profit
Acceptance Rate:
N/A
Level
4 Years
Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.
Seventh Day Adventist
Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.
SACSCOC
Website
www.southern.edu
Student Population Number of Students attending College
2,773
On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?
Yes

Southern Adventist University is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and yes, that shapes everything from curriculum to campus culture. The university takes Adventist values seriously—no alcohol, no smoking, Friday evening through Saturday Sabbath observance—but it's not a theological seminary. You can study business, nursing, engineering, or education while living within that ethical framework. The student body is diverse globally; many international students appreciate the intentional values alignment.

Academics are solid, especially in health professions and engineering. Classroom sizes are reasonable, and professors invest in student mentorship. The Adventist network opens doors for internships and jobs in healthcare and nonprofit sectors worldwide. Campus in Tennessee is beautiful and quiet, which some find peaceful and others find isolating.

Real talk: this works best if you share or respect Adventist values. If you're coming just for academics, the lifestyle policies might feel restrictive. If you appreciate structured community with purpose, SAU could feel like home.

Location & Contact

Address

4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, Tennessee

Contact

Phone: (423) 236-2000

Find Your School

Rankings

The rankings provided by Forbes and US News are trusted everywhere, as long as US universities are concerned. The ranking of a university is an important parameter by which a prospective student can decide whether they wish to take admission or not. Generally, the ranking of a university is considered a great way to gauge its performance on several factors, which include research excellence, the performance of the students after they complete their education, student experience, and most importantly academic success. The rankings by two well-known publications, US News and Forbes, are considered trustworthy by applicants and academic experts. However, it is to be noted that Southern Adventist University does not feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest ranking by these publications.

Admissions

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
Rolling Admissions
Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.
65.50%
SAT Range
N/A
SAT/ACT
FALSE
ACT Range
N/A
High School GPA
N/A
Application Fee
$25
Accept Common App
None

The students can make the most out of the admission process as the admission at the university is fairly easy. The admission process starts by filling up the form and submitting a fee of $25. Securing a good score in a standardised test like SAT or ACT improves an applicant’s chances of securing admission. However, Southern Adventist University doesn’t focus much on standardised tests. Interestingly, the average SAT or ACT scores of students securing admission is not available. As expected, the candidates can complete the process either online or by visiting the school's office at 4881 Taylor Cir, Collegedale, Tennessee 37315-0370. To gather more information, they can call them at (423) 236-2000.

Full Admission Info Find College Scholarships Request Info

Annual Cost to Attend

Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.
$24,345
Average Annual Cost
$27,300

Additional Costs:

Books And Supplies
$34,990
Other Fees
$850
Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.
$7,740
Budget For Other Expenses
$4,200

Total One Year Cost

$34,990

Before applying to SAU, candidates must keep in mind the tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure. The annual full-time cost of attendance comes out to be approximately $35,915. This cost consists of the average annual tuition cost ($22,520), books and supplies ($1,100), room and boarding ($7,640), and budget for other expenses ($4,250). For students seeking financial assistance, the university offers a number of options.

Explore Programs Explore Student Loans Explore Tuition and Cost

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Doctor's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

13:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

83%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

60%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

$24

Faculty Overview

49%

Male Professors

51%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

2,531

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

35%

Full-time / Part-time

85% / 15%

Students Gender

Male

42%

US National: 44%

Female

58%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

43%

Unknown

Black

Hispanic

24%

Two or more races

Non Resident alien

Asian

11%

American Indian/Alaska native

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

Geographic Density

High

Unknown Location

78%

Out Of State

21%

In State

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$60,145 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and 89% of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

Freshmen Live on Campus

89%

Undergrads in College Housing

N/A

Averege Housing Cost

$4,440/year

Campus Food

The institution has several dining and meal plan options available to students and the average meal plan cost is around $3,300/year.

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Average Meal Plan Available

$3,300/year

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

N/A

School Colors

N/A

Varsity Athletics Association

N/A

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Not applicable

Total Male Athletes

N/A

Total Female Athletes

N/A

Intramural Sports

Sports Club

N/A

Campus Security

The university offers on-campus housing facilities to the students who wish to stay on the campus. At SAU, $7,640 is the normal expense for on-campus housing, which a student will be needed to pay, each year. The students at Southern Adventist University have several dining and meal plan options to choose from. Moreover, the average meal plan costs around $3,300 per year. To ensure the safety and security of students, the university has a number of campus safety and security measures in place. Some of these features include 24-hr security patrol, campus emergency phones and 24-hr escort safety rides. There are around 43% male and 57% female students enrolled at the university.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$33,100/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$38,500/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$19,500 - $31,000

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$202 - $322

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

98%

Average Aid Per Year

$10,325

Students Receiving Federal Grants

35%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,489

Students Receiving State Aid

17%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,351

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

98%

Average Aid Per Year

$8,019

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$12,339

$30K - $48K

$10,179

$48K - $75K

$7,572

$75K - $110K

$5,857

> $110K

$5,866

Total Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$16,373,394

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$6,414,408

The financial aid department of Southern Adventist University helps students by assisting them with scholarships, grants, and student loans in the event that they find the fees and the cost of living at the campus to be expensive. The average federal grant that comes from the university is around $4,902, whereas the financial aid is $8,702. The university provides financial assistance in the form of state-level aid worth $4,693 and institutional aid worth $8,702. At SAU, the total amount of need-based scholarships/grants awarded to students stands at $16,373,394 per year. On the other hand, the total non-need-based scholarships/grants offered in a year add up to $6,414,408.

Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Adventist University

How hard is it to get into Southern Adventist University?

Southern Adventist University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 65.5%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Southern Adventist University cost?

Tuition at Southern Adventist University is approximately $27,300 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Southern Adventist University?

Southern Adventist University enrolls approximately 2,773 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Southern Adventist University?

The graduation rate at Southern Adventist University is 49%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southern Adventist University?

The student-faculty ratio at Southern Adventist University is 13:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Southern Adventist University?

Southern Adventist University typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 530-660 (Reading) and 490-640 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 19-25. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Southern Adventist University a public or private university?

Southern Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution.

When is the application deadline for Southern Adventist University?

Application deadlines at Southern Adventist University vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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Southern Adventist University — 2026 Profile - Collegedale, Tennessee

★ Southern Adventist University Report Card

★ Key Facts: Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University

Location & Contact

Rankings

Admissions

Annual Cost to Attend

Academics

Majors