The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) is 87.23%. This means that 87 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as SBTS is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Admission Requirements
Can I Get Into SBTS Without SAT Or ACT?: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Average SAT Score: 1112
The average SAT score of the admitted students at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is 1112 on the 1600 SAT scale.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1112 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1178 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 993, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to SBTS. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 526 | 483 | 568 |
SAT Reading | 560 | 510 | 610 |
SAT Composite | 1112 | 993 | 1178 |
It means that if you have scored less than 993 then you are below most of the admitted students at SBTS and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1178 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) with a 1200 SAT?
With a 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) are good but the admission staff at SBTS tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at SBTS is 23.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ACT Competitiveness

This score makes The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 23 on the ACT.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
ACT English | 23 | 20 | 25 |
ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a 25 ACT?
With a 25 ACT Score, your chances of admission at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 23.SBTS Profile
Name: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS)
City: Louisville
URL: www.sbts.edu/
State: Kentucky
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 40280-0001
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
How can I get a scholarship?
0% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 0 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to SBTS and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SBTS as your choice in the form.

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Huntingdon College | Huntingdon College, AL | 1086 | 21 |
Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
University of the Ozarks | University of the Ozarks, AR | 1087 | 22 |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, AR | 1088 | 21 |
Pacific Union College | Pacific Union College, CA | 1075 | 21 |
Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | NA |
Adams State University | Adams State University, CO | 1066 | 21 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas, AR | 1167 | 25 |
Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
Ouachita Baptist University | Ouachita Baptist University, AR | 1180 | 25 |
Dominican University of California | Dominican University of California, CA | 1192 | 24 |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
- Theological and Ministerial Studies
Masters Degree Programs
Full list of All degree programs offered by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.