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) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 94.3%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
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
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Southeastern GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Southeastern is 3.39. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.59-3.79 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.09 and 3.39, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Southeastern GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Southeastern utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.39, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
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
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- 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 Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board 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
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Southeastern Without SAT or ACT?
Southeastern Louisiana University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Southeastern Louisiana University Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Southeastern Louisiana University is 1090 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1090 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Southeastern Louisiana University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Southeastern. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is 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 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1050 then you are below most of the admitted students at Southeastern and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1120 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 Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) with a 1100 SAT?
With a 1100 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) are good but the admission staff at Southeastern 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.
Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Southeastern is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Southeastern Louisiana University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 22 on the ACT.
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 places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Southeastern Louisiana University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Southeastern Louisiana University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Southeastern Louisiana University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Southeastern Louisiana University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 24 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Southeastern
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Southeastern provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
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?
Getting into Southeastern can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Southeastern offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Southeastern is $53,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.72%.
How much does a degree from Southeastern Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Southeastern Louisiana University is $22,647. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Southeastern Louisiana University is $12,174.
33% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 34.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Southeastern and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Southeastern Louisiana University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Southeastern as your choice in the form.
How much does a Southeastern Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $46,482. An average Southeastern graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
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
Full list of all degree programs offered by Southeastern Louisiana University →
Frequently Asked Questions About Southeastern Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $46,482 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $22,647 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
33.0% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Southeastern Louisiana University is 94.3% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.39. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.09, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.09, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.99 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.39, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Southeastern Louisiana University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1090 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1050–1120.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.