Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Evansville, Indiana
94.7% Acceptance Rate
University of Southern Indiana — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.7%Acceptance Rate
3.45Avg GPA
1131Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$20,749Annual Cost
$47,605Grad Salary
22.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.7%
Avg GPA
3.45
Avg SAT
1131
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1220
ACT Middle 50%
22–28
Avg Net Price
$12,621
Need-Based Aid
22.3% receive Pell
University of Southern Indiana is a public, regional university that emphasizes professional preparation, undergraduate research, and community service. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and a student's demonstrated readiness for a comprehensive university experience. The university seeks students who are motivated by a sense of purpose and who are eager to participate in its wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Prospective students should highlight their academic consistency and their involvement in activities that foster teamwork or leadership. As the university is highly engaged with regional industry and healthcare, applicants who can connect their studies to real-world outcomes will stand out. The admissions team favors students who are not only academically prepared but also ambitious, self-directed, and ready to leverage the resources of a growing, research-active, and student-focused public university.
University of Southern Indiana Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Southern Indiana is inclusive by design. 94.7% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.45 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.25 – 3.44
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.00
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Southern Indiana Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for University of Southern Indiana (Priority — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 115 days left — Priority
Priority
December 1
Regular
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
USI GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at USI is 3.45. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.15–3.45 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.65–3.85.USI GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.45 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.25 – 3.44
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.05 – 3.24
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.04
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Now a full NCAA Division I member (Ohio Valley Conference) as of the 2025-26 season, eligible for D-I postseason across all 19 varsity sports - a recent change from prior D-II status
- No essay or letter of recommendation required for standard freshman admission unless specifically requested by an admissions officer
- Organized into five colleges: Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, and Graduate Studies
- Certain allied-health programs (e.g., Radiologic Technology) are genuinely competitive with limited seats, unlike general open-style admission
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at USI
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Southern Indiana's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Southern Indiana (USI) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at USI. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into USI Without SAT or ACT?
USI considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Southern Indiana Average SAT Score: 1131
Admitted students at University of Southern Indiana average a 1131 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1131 — Less Competitive
A 1131 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Southern Indiana allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1020? A retake is worth it at USI. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1131 | 1020 | 1220 |
A score under 1020 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1220+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Southern Indiana (USI) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in USI's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Southern Indiana (USI) ACT Requirements
USI's admitted students average an ACT of 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 25 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 28 |
Can I get into University of Southern Indiana with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of USI's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, USI weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for USI
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into USI is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
If athletics is your hook, know USI just became full NCAA Division I - a genuinely new story
USI completed an accelerated transition to full NCAA Division I membership (Ohio Valley Conference) effective the 2025-26 season, becoming eligible for Division I postseason championships across all 19 varsity sports for the first time. Any athletic recruiting outreach or application materials referencing USI athletics should reflect this current D-I status, not outdated D-II (Great Lakes Valley Conference) references still circulating online.
Target the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions by name if health sciences is your direction
USI organizes its health programs (including the competitive Radiologic Technology track current students describe as genuinely selective) under the named Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, distinct from its other four colleges. Reference this specific college and program in outreach rather than generic "I want to help people" health-career language.
Don't over-invest in the optional essay/recommendation unless a program specifically requests it
USI doesn't require an essay or letters of recommendation for standard freshman admission - these are only requested if an admissions officer flags your file for additional information. If you haven't been asked for supplemental materials, focus your energy on your transcript and any program-specific application rather than preemptively drafting materials USI won't use.
Use USI's 1,400-acre Evansville campus and Carnegie Community-Engaged designation as a concrete talking point
USI holds Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University status and operates across five named colleges (Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, plus Graduate Studies). Naming your target college specifically, and referencing USI's community-engagement identity if relevant to your intended field, signals real fit over generic interest.
Expert Insight:
Because USI's acceptance rate sits near 96% and admission itself asks for little beyond transcripts and test scores, applicants sometimes assume every program inside USI is equally low-friction. Radiologic Technology and other allied-health tracks are explicit exceptions - current students describe them as genuinely competitive with limited annual seats - and treating them with the same casual approach as general admission is a common misstep.
USI Profile
Full Name
University of Southern Indiana (USI)
City
Evansville
State
Indiana
ZIP Code
47712
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a USI Degree Worth It?
Whether USI is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,300, and graduates see a 3.21% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from USI Cost?
Listed tuition runs $20,749/year at USI. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,621.
At USI, 22.3% receive a Pell Grant and 28.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming USI on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a USI Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, USI graduates report a median income of $47,605, about 17% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Indiana. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Southern Indiana. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Indiana. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at USI
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About USI Admissions
University of Southern Indiana graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,605/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of Southern Indiana is relatively affordable, around $20,749/year.
22.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of Southern Indiana skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Southern Indiana's acceptance rate is 94.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Southern Indiana students is 3.45, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.15 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Southern Indiana. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.05 or below makes admission tougher at University of Southern Indiana, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Southern Indiana weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1131, and within the 1020–1220 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Southern Indiana's deadline is December 1 (Priority).
University of Southern Indiana charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's University of Southern Indiana's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.