Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Bethany, Oklahoma
Southern Nazarene University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.3Avg GPA
$41,972Annual Cost
$54,951Grad Salary
45.4%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.3
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
45.4% receive Pell
Southern Nazarene University is a private, faith-based institution in Oklahoma that provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs rooted in Christian principles. Known for its rigorous academic standards and focus on character formation, the university offers a supportive environment where students can pursue both intellectual growth and professional advancement. Its commitment to service, global engagement, and high-quality instruction makes it a highly effective choice for students seeking a meaningful and values-centered degree.
Southern Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
Southern Nazarene University (SNU) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, 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
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
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.
SNU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SNU is 3.3. 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 3.50-3.70 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.00 and 3.3, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
SNU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at SNU utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.3, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Admission is open: a 6-semester high school transcript is the core requirement, and students below a 2.75 GPA may still receive provisional acceptance or be asked for a test score.
- SNU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) alongside the ACT/SAT - a distinctive option for classical/homeschool-educated applicants.
- All full-time students (11+ credits) must earn 25 Christian Formation/chapel attendance credits per semester; falling below 15 triggers probation and a mandatory attendance plan.
- Oklahoma residents who qualify for Oklahoma's Promise receive a full tuition waiver (~$25,140/year) - apply through the state program, not through SNU directly.
- The Rigor Metric: At SNU, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
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 SNU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Southern Nazarene 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
⚠️ 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.
Southern Nazarene University (SNU) 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 SNU Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Southern Nazarene University is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SNU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
SNU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Front-load the Faith and Life Covenant conversation before the student commits
SNU admission is open (a 6-semester high school transcript is essentially the only hard requirement), so the real filter isn't academic - it's whether a student can commit in writing to the university's Faith and Life Covenant, which governs conduct standards rooted in the Church of the Nazarene's Manual. Have families read the covenant language before applying, not after acceptance; a mismatch here causes far more withdrawals than any academic issue.
Build the 25-chapel-credit requirement into the student's semester math from day one
Every full-time student (11+ credit hours) is auto-enrolled in Christian Formation and must earn 25 attendance credits per semester from roughly 50 available chapel/worship opportunities (Tuesday/Thursday mornings plus evening options) - falling under 15 triggers probation, and repeated deficiency triggers a one-semester suspension requiring written appeal to return. Treat chapel like a zero-credit class with a hard attendance floor when building a weekly schedule, especially for student-athletes or students with off-campus jobs.
Use the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative differentiator
SNU is one of the relatively few schools that formally accepts the Classic Learning Test as an alternative or supplement to the ACT/SAT. For homeschooled applicants or those from classical/Christian school backgrounds who test better on a text-based, humanities-weighted exam, submitting CLT scores instead of forcing an ACT retake can be a meaningfully better fit - test scores only become mandatory at SNU if GPA falls at or below 2.75, so this is a scholarship-optimization lever more than an admission requirement.
Route every Oklahoma-resident applicant through Oklahoma's Promise before finalizing a financial plan
Oklahoma residents who qualify for Oklahoma's Promise are eligible for a full tuition waiver worth roughly $25,140/year at SNU - a state program, not an SNU-specific award, and one out-of-state-focused counselors often overlook. Confirm Oklahoma's Promise enrollment (which requires action as early as 8th or 9th grade) with every in-state family well before senior year, since it can't be applied retroactively once the qualifying window closes.
Expert Insight:
Because SNU's academic bar is genuinely low (open admission, provisional acceptance available even below GPA thresholds), families sometimes treat the application as a formality and skip reading the behavioral/conduct commitments until after the deposit is paid. That's backwards: the Faith and Life Covenant - not GPA or test scores - is the actual gate a student needs to clear internally before applying, and counselors should surface it early rather than let a student self-select out mid-freshman-year.
SNU Profile
Full Name
Southern Nazarene University (SNU)
City
Bethany
State
Oklahoma
ZIP Code
73008
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a SNU Degree Worth It?
Getting into SNU 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. SNU 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 SNU is $57,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.94%.
How much does a degree from SNU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Southern Nazarene University is $41,972. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Southern Nazarene University is much less than this.
45.4% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 59.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to SNU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Southern Nazarene University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SNU as your choice in the form.
How much does a SNU Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $54,951. An average SNU 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.
Degree Programs at SNU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Southern Nazarene University →
Frequently Asked Questions About SNU Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $54,951 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $41,972 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
45.4% 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 average GPA of admitted students is 3.3. 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, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.9 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 3.3, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
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.