For-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Louisville, Kentucky
Sullivan University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$31,100Annual Cost
$38,008Grad Salary
11.3%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
11.3% receive Pell
Sullivan University, established in 1962, is a private university in Louisville, Kentucky. It offers accelerated programs in culinary arts, business, and IT. The campus features a renowned culinary institute and industry-focused curricula.
Though unranked nationally, Sullivan is respected for its career-ready approach. Its urban location provides connections to Louisville's hospitality and corporate sectors.
Sullivan University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Sullivan University is inclusive by design: 100% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Sullivan University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Sullivan University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Sullivan University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Sullivan University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Sullivan University'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Sullivan University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Sullivan University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Sullivan University Without SAT or ACT?
Sullivan University's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Sullivan University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Sullivan University's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Map the Quarter-Credit Ladder Before You Transfer In
Sullivan runs on a quarterly calendar, not semesters, and structures credentials as a deliberate "stair-step" ladder: a career diploma in about a year, an associate degree roughly 18 months after that, a bachelor's about 18 months beyond that. This pacing doesn't map cleanly onto semester-based transfer credit expectations. Before enrolling with outside credit, get an explicit quarter-credit conversion from admissions - assuming a 1:1 transfer often costs students an extra term they didn't plan for.
Confirm Your Prior Credential Against the Approved List for Junior Standing
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management admits students at junior-level status only if they already hold an associate degree from a specific approved list - Baking & Pastry Arts, Travel & Tourism, Beverage Management, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts, Professional Catering, or an equivalent from another accredited hospitality/culinary school. Don't assume any associate degree qualifies; get the exact credential matched against this list before applying, since a mismatch means starting at freshman standing instead of junior standing.
Use NCHS's Separate ACF Accreditation as Leverage, Not Just a Line on a Brochure
Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts at the National Center for Hospitality Studies carry their own program-specific accreditation from the American Culinary Federation's Accrediting Commission, layered on top of Sullivan's institutional accreditation - this is specific to those two programs, not Hospitality Management as a whole. For students specifically targeting culinary/pastry careers, confirm current ACFAC accreditation status for the exact program cycle, since this credential (not the general institutional one) is what many culinary employers and apprenticeship boards actually check.
Build a Real Narrative Through Culinary Camp and the Working Businesses
NCHS runs a summer Culinary Camp for incoming high school juniors and seniors, and operates actual functioning businesses - a restaurant, a catering company, and a bakery - where students intern. A prospective culinary/hospitality applicant should attend Culinary Camp or request a shadow day at one of these operating businesses, then build their "Why This Program" narrative around a specific dish, service, or mentor from that experience rather than a generic "I like to cook" framing.
Expert Insight:
The real failure pattern is treating Sullivan's open-admission policy (any high school graduate or GED holder) as evidence that the accelerated quarterly pace will feel similar to a typical semester school. Students who don't plan around the faster quarter calendar - especially in hands-on hospitality/culinary tracks with functional and technical standards requirements - often fall behind before they've adjusted to the pace, since terms move roughly 30% faster than a standard semester system.
Sullivan University Profile
Full Name
Sullivan University
City
Louisville
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
40205
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Sullivan University Degree Worth It?
At $31,100/year against a $38,008 median graduate salary, Sullivan University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $55,500, and graduates see a 3.22% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Sullivan University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $31,100/year at Sullivan University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Sullivan University, 11.3% receive a Pell Grant and 15.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Sullivan University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Sullivan University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Sullivan University graduates report a median income of $38,008, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Sullivan University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Sullivan University Admissions
Sullivan University graduates earn a lower median salary of $38,008/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Sullivan University is moderate, around $31,100/year; many students supplement with aid.
11.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Sullivan University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Sullivan University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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.
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