Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Hammond, Louisiana
94.3% Acceptance Rate
Southeastern Louisiana University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.3%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$22,647Annual Cost
$46,482Grad Salary
33%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.3%
Avg GPA
3.39
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1120
ACT Middle 50%
19–24
Avg Net Price
$12,174
Need-Based Aid
33% receive Pell
Southeastern Louisiana University is a public, regional institution that balances professional degree programs with a solid liberal arts foundation. Admissions prioritize academic performance and readiness for a supportive campus environment. The university seeks students who are motivated by a sense of purpose and who are eager to participate in its rich tradition of leadership, arts, and community engagement.
When applying, prospective students should highlight their consistency in academic work and their involvement in school or community organizations that require collaboration and leadership. Demonstrating a clear interest in the university's specific professional programs?such as nursing, education, or management?can help an applicant stand out, as the university favors students who have a focused vision for their future. A strong application shows that the student is proactive, focused, and ready to take full advantage of the resources available at a regionally-focused institution.
Southeastern Louisiana University Acceptance Rate
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 94.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Southeastern Louisiana University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Southeastern Louisiana University is August 1 for Fall Final applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 6 days left — Fall Final
Fall Final
August 1
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
May 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 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.
Southeastern GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Southeastern is 3.39. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.09–3.39 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.59–3.79.Southeastern GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Freshman admission via either a 21 ACT composite OR a 2.0 GPA in the Louisiana Board of Regents Core Curriculum (specific course distribution: English-4, Math-4, Science-4, Social Studies-4, Foreign Language-2, Art-1), with no more than one required developmental course; ACT Writing/SAT Essay is considered, an unusual stance among test-optional peers
- Ascension Hall (coed, ~200 students) is reserved exclusively for Honors Program students; Livingstone and Louisiana Halls require a 23 ACT or 3.0 GPA (returning students) for eligibility - a distinct, performance-gated housing tier
- Honors Program transfer admission requires both sufficient remaining credits to earn Sophomore/Senior Honors Distinction or the Honors Diploma AND at least three full semesters remaining before graduation; prior-institution honors credit must be separately evaluated by the Honors Director
- Online criminal justice program ranked in the top 50 nationally; 12 study abroad programs available with up to $50,000 in combined scholarship funding, serving roughly 150 students
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 Southeastern
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Southeastern Louisiana University's verified institutional data
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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.
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Southeastern is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Southeastern Without SAT or ACT?
Southeastern considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Southeastern Louisiana University Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of admitted students at Southeastern Louisiana University is 1090 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Southeastern Louisiana University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Southeastern. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1050 | 1120 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1120 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Southeastern's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Southeastern is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 24 |
Can I get into Southeastern Louisiana University with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Southeastern's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Southeastern.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Southeastern
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Southeastern is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Run the dual-path admission formula precisely - an ACT 21 OR a 2.0 Regents Core GPA each independently qualify
Southeastern's freshman admission lets a student qualify via either a 21 ACT composite OR a 2.0 GPA in the Louisiana Board of Regents Core Curriculum (English-4, Math-4, Science-4, Social Studies-4, Foreign Language-2, Art-1) - not a combined or stacked requirement - alongside a cap of no more than one required developmental course. A student weak on standardized testing but strong in the specific Regents Core coursework should confirm their Core GPA calculation independently rather than assuming a so-so ACT score disqualifies them, since either pathway alone is sufficient.
If aiming for Ascension Hall specifically, know it's reserved exclusively for Honors Program students - apply to Honors with housing strategy in mind
Southeastern's Ascension Hall (a coed residence housing roughly 200 students) is restricted specifically to students in the university's Honors Program, distinct from the general residence-hall pool - meaning a student who wants this particular living-learning community needs Honors Program admission as a prerequisite, not just general housing application. A student drawn to this specific community-style housing option should pursue Honors Program admission deliberately as the access point, rather than treating housing and academic-program decisions as separate processes.
For transfer students joining Honors, confirm "three semesters remaining" eligibility and prior honors-credit evaluation before assuming automatic acceptance
Southeastern's Honors Program requires transfer applicants to meet two specific conditions simultaneously: having enough remaining credits to still earn Sophomore Honors Distinction, Senior Honors Distinction, and/or the Honors Diploma, AND having at least three full semesters left before graduation - and any honors credit earned at a prior institution must be separately evaluated and approved by the Honors Director before counting as a substitution. A transfer student close to graduation should calculate their remaining semester count against this specific three-semester threshold before assuming Honors Program transfer is automatically available to them.
Confirm whether Livingstone or Louisiana Hall fits before assuming standard housing - both carry an academic-performance entry bar
Unlike most of Southeastern's residence halls, Livingstone and Louisiana Halls specifically require either a 23 ACT or a 3.0 GPA (for returning students) to qualify for residency - a distinct, performance-gated housing tier separate from the Honors-only Ascension Hall and the general coed halls. A student or family choosing housing should check this specific ACT/GPA threshold against the student's profile before assuming any residence hall is open to all admitted students equally.
Expert Insight:
Reported acceptance-rate figures for Southeastern Louisiana vary substantially across sources (cited from roughly 71% to over 99%), so families should not anchor expectations to any single number - and should note that "near-open admission" general statistics can obscure genuinely selective sub-communities on campus, like Honors-exclusive Ascension Hall housing or the ACT/GPA-gated Livingstone and Louisiana residence halls, both of which function on entirely different eligibility criteria than general university admission.
Southeastern Profile
Full Name
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern)
City
Hammond
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70402
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Southeastern Degree Worth It?
Southeastern offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $53,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.72%.
How much does a degree from Southeastern Cost?
The sticker price is $22,647/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $12,174.
33% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.4% take federal loans at Southeastern — file your FAFSA early and list Southeastern as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Southeastern Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,482 — about 15% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southeastern Louisiana University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southeastern Louisiana University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southeastern Louisiana University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Southeastern
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Southeastern Admissions
Median earnings for Southeastern Louisiana University graduates sit around $46,482 a year.
At about $22,647 a year, Southeastern Louisiana University is on the more affordable end.
About 33.0% receive a Pell Grant at Southeastern Louisiana University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 94.3%, Southeastern Louisiana University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Southeastern Louisiana University average a 3.39 GPA.
Southeastern Louisiana University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.09 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.99, Southeastern Louisiana University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Southeastern Louisiana University — aim above 1090, ideally within the 1050–1120 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Southeastern Louisiana University is August 1 for Fall Final applicants.
The application fee is 20. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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