Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
49.9% Acceptance Rate
Southern University and A & M College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
49.9%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
938Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$26,076Annual Cost
$43,371Grad Salary
64.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
49.9%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
938
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
798–1000
ACT Middle 50%
15–19
Avg Net Price
$19,740
Need-Based Aid
64.6% receive Pell
Southern University and A & M College Southern University and A&M College, founded in 1880 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the flagship institution of the Southern University System and a premier historically black land-grant university. The 512-acre campus offers comprehensive programs with particular strengths in engineering, nursing, and criminal justice. Southern maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio and is classified as an R2 research university. Campus landmarks include the Smith-Brown Memorial Union and the new Engineering Building. The university's athletic teams, the Jaguars, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Southern takes pride in its land-grant mission of teaching, research, and service to the African-American community. The campus serves as an important cultural and educational resource for Louisiana. Recent additions include the new Honors College building and upgraded STEM facilities. Southern's combination of academic programs, HBCU heritage, and research impact makes it a vital institution in Louisiana's higher education landscape.
Southern University and A & M College Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 49.9%, Southern University and A & M College rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What Southern University Baton Rouge Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 49.9% acceptance rate
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.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Southern University and A & M College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark August 1 for Southern University and A & M College (Fall Final — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 7 days left — Fall Final
Fall Final
August 1
Spring
December 15
Fall 2026 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.
Southern University Baton Rouge GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Southern University Baton Rouge is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 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 3.30–3.50.Southern University Baton Rouge GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay required and no letter of recommendation required for first-year applicants per Common App's own listing; SAT or ACT scores are required (not optional) for first-time freshman applicants.
- Flagship of the Southern University System; Louisiana's largest HBCU; Second Morrill Act 1890 land-grant institution with sea-grant status - a dual federal designation shared by very few HBCUs.
- Founded in 1880 as Southern University for Colored Students in New Orleans; relocated to Baton Rouge (Scotlandville) in 1914; 884-acre campus.
- Marching band "The Human Jukebox" participates in the Tournament of Roses parade and Honda Battle of the Bands; acceptance rate reported between roughly 59-68% depending on source - verify current figure directly.
- 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 Southern University Baton Rouge
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Southern University and A & M College'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.
Southern University and A & M College (Southern University Baton Rouge) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Southern University Baton Rouge — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Southern University Baton Rouge Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at Southern University Baton Rouge. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Southern University and A & M College Average SAT Score: 938
Admitted students at Southern University and A & M College average a 938 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 938 — Accessible
A 938 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1000 SAT or 19 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Southern University and A & M College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 798? A retake is worth it at Southern University Baton Rouge — 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 | 435 | 380 | 490 |
| SAT Reading | 464 | 418 | 510 |
| SAT Composite | 938 | 798 | 1000 |
A score under 798 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1000+ 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 950
Can I get into Southern University and A & M College (Southern University Baton Rouge) with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Southern University Baton Rouge'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.
Southern University and A & M College (Southern University Baton Rouge) ACT Requirements
Southern University Baton Rouge's admitted students average an ACT of 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
An average of 17 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 16 | 15 | 17 |
| ACT English | 17 | 13 | 20 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 15 | 19 |
Can I get into Southern University and A & M College with a 19 ACT?
At 19, you're in the top quarter of Southern University Baton Rouge'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, 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, Southern University Baton Rouge weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Southern University Baton Rouge
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Southern University Baton Rouge rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds — it's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Confirm the correct campus - Baton Rouge, not New Orleans or Shreveport
UNITID 160621 maps specifically to Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge (SUBR), the flagship of the Southern University System. Two other Southern University campuses (New Orleans and Shreveport) are distinct institutions with different programs, selectivity, and admissions processes. Confirm a student is applying to SUBR specifically rather than assuming "Southern University" is a single undifferentiated institution.
Skip essay prep for general freshman admission - no essay required
Confirmed directly on Common App's own listing for Southern University and A&M: no personal essay required, no letter of recommendation required for first-year applicants. Unlike many peer HBCUs, SUBR's general freshman process is streamlined to transcripts and test scores. Redirect any "extra" application effort toward the February 1 priority date for scholarship and Honors College consideration, where separate requirements may apply.
Note that SAT/ACT scores are required - not optional - for first-year admission
Unlike many peer HBCUs that have gone test-optional, Southern University and A&M explicitly requires official SAT or ACT scores from first-time freshman applicants, confirmed on SUBR's own admissions page. Walk students through this specific requirement early, since assuming test-optional status (common at peer schools) could leave an application incomplete.
Use SUBR's combined land-grant and sea-grant status and the Human Jukebox as specific, named institutional differentiators
Southern University and A&M is an 1890 Second Morrill Act land-grant institution and also holds sea-grant status - a dual federal designation held by very few HBCUs and distinguishing SUBR from the majority of land-grant institutions that are sea-grant. Its marching band, the "Human Jukebox," participates in prestigious national events including the Tournament of Roses parade and the Honda Battle of the Bands. For students drawn to both the academic mission and the cultural identity of the institution, name these specific designations and traditions rather than generic HBCU framing.
Expert Insight:
Acceptance rate figures for SUBR vary meaningfully across sources - CollegeVine reports 59%, some aggregators report higher - confirm the current figure directly against SUBR's Common Data Set before quoting a number; the wide spread is partly due to sources reflecting different applicant pools or years.
Southern University Baton Rouge Profile
Full Name
Southern University and A & M College (Southern University Baton Rouge)
City
Baton Rouge
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70813
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Southern University Baton Rouge Degree Worth It?
Whether Southern University Baton Rouge 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 $45,900, and graduates see a 4.81% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Southern University Baton Rouge Cost?
Listed tuition runs $26,076/year at Southern University Baton Rouge; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $19,740.
At Southern University Baton Rouge, 64.6% receive a Pell Grant and 70.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Southern University Baton Rouge on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Southern University Baton Rouge Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Southern University Baton Rouge graduates report a median income of $43,371, about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southern University and A & M College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | 910 | 16 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston, ME | 910 | NA |
| Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park, MD | 920 | NA |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena, MS | 910 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southern University and A & M College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southern University and A & M College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
Degree Programs at Southern University Baton Rouge
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern University Baton Rouge Admissions
Southern University and A & M College graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,371/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Southern University and A & M College is relatively affordable, around $26,076/year.
64.6% of Southern University and A & M College students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Southern University and A & M College as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Southern University and A & M College's acceptance rate is 49.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Southern University and A & M College students is 3.1, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.8 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Southern University and A & M College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.7 or below makes admission tougher at Southern University and A & M College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Southern University and A & M College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 938, and within the 798–1000 range, keeps you competitive.
Southern University and A & M College's deadline is August 1 (Fall Final).
Southern University and A & M College charges an application fee of 20; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 15, 2026 — that's Southern University and A & M College'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.
Explore Other Options
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