Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Jefferson City, Tennessee
68.3% Acceptance Rate
Carson-Newman University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
68.3%Acceptance Rate
3.6Avg GPA
1111Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$46,345Annual Cost
$48,382Grad Salary
39.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
68.3%
Avg GPA
3.6
Avg SAT
1111
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
940–1130
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Need-Based Aid
39.2% receive Pell
Carson-Newman University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in Tennessee known for its commitment to academic excellence, service, and character development. Offering a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a supportive and engaged community that encourages both intellectual and personal growth. Its focus on preparing students for leadership in their professional and community lives makes it a meaningful and high-value path for individuals seeking a values-centered education.
Carson-Newman University Acceptance Rate
Carson-Newman University is moderately selective. 68.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Carson-Newman University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 68.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Carson-Newman University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Carson-Newman 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
Carson-Newman 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 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.
Carson-Newman University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Carson-Newman University is 3.6. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.30 and 3.6? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.80–4.00.Carson-Newman University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.60 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.40 – 3.59
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.20 – 3.39
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.19
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- All full-time undergraduates must earn 10 Community Life & Worship (CLW) credits per semester (5 Chapel, 5 Community Life events) for 7 of their 8 semesters; Chapel credits cannot be banked beyond 5 per semester.
- The Bonner Scholars program is a highly selective, separately-applied-for service scholarship covering 100% of unmet financial need plus $3,000/year in service funds and two summer stipends, in exchange for 8-10 hours/week of community service every semester for four years.
- Carson-Newman participates in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway and Tennessee Reverse Transfer programs, letting community college transfers complete an associate degree retroactively while progressing toward a C-N bachelor's degree.
- The Eagle Scholars program provides honors-level academic support specifically for student-athletes competing in NCAA Division II - a distinct track from the general honors program.
- 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 Carson-Newman University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Carson-Newman 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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Carson-Newman University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Carson-Newman 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 Carson-Newman University Without SAT or ACT?
Carson-Newman University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Carson-Newman University Average SAT Score: 1111
Admitted students at Carson-Newman University average a 1111 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1111 — Less Competitive
A 1111 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1130 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Carson-Newman University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 940? A retake is worth it at Carson-Newman University. 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 | 510 | 460 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 525 | 480 | 570 |
| SAT Composite | 1111 | 940 | 1130 |
A score under 940 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1130+ 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 1100
Can I get into Carson-Newman University with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Carson-Newman University'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.
Carson-Newman University ACT Requirements
Carson-Newman University's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into Carson-Newman University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Carson-Newman University'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, and 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, Carson-Newman University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Carson-Newman University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Carson-Newman University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply to Bonner Scholars as a separate, application-specific track with its own essays
Carson-Newman's Bonner Scholars program is a highly selective, need-based service scholarship (part of the national Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation network) that covers 100% of unmet financial need plus $3,000/year in service-based funds, two summer stipends, and professional development funds - but it has its own dedicated application with essays, separate from general admission. A student pursuing this needs to complete the Bonner application early and be ready to commit to 8-10 hours/week of community service every semester for four years, not just check a box for "more aid."
Build the Community Life & Worship (CLW) requirement into a student's weekly schedule expectations before enrollment
Every full-time undergraduate must earn 10 CLW credits per semester (at least 5 from Tuesday/Thursday morning Chapel at 9:30 a.m., 5 from Community Life events) for 7 of 8 semesters - a real, recurring commitment, not a one-time orientation event. Because Chapel credits can't be banked beyond 5 per semester, a student who front-loads Chapel attendance early in a term still needs separate Community Life events to hit the full 10; walk this through with the family so it isn't a surprise mid-freshman-year.
Use the TN Transfer Pathway / Reverse Transfer agreements for a defined two-step credential plan
Carson-Newman has an established Tennessee Transfer Pathway with TBR community colleges, and it participates in Tennessee Reverse Transfer, letting a student who enrolls at C-N before finishing an associate degree send credits back to their community college to complete that associate degree retroactively while still working toward the C-N bachelor's. Structure a transfer-minded student's plan explicitly around this named pathway (REL 101, REL 102, LA-102 plus major/upper-level requirements) rather than an ad hoc transfer application.
Leverage the Eagle Scholars honors-for-athletes program if the student is a recruited athlete
Carson-Newman runs an Eagle Scholars program specifically for student-athletes, layering honors-level academic support onto the demands of NCAA Division II competition. A recruited athlete with strong academic credentials should ask directly about Eagle Scholars during recruitment conversations - it's a distinct academic track from Carson-Newman's general honors program and won't surface unless a family or coach raises it explicitly.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes treat Carson-Newman's Bonner Scholars program as a generic "extra scholarship to apply for," but it functions more like a second admissions process with its own binding four-year service commitment (8-10 hours/week during the school year, two full-time summer internships). A student who accepts a Bonner award without understanding this workload can find the commitment genuinely incompatible with a demanding major or athletics schedule - walk through the time commitment honestly before a student applies, not after they're admitted.
Carson-Newman University Profile
Full Name
Carson-Newman University
City
Jefferson City
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37760
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Carson-Newman University Degree Worth It?
Whether Carson-Newman University 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 $53,100, and graduates see a 3.23% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Carson-Newman University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $46,345/year at Carson-Newman University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Carson-Newman University, 39.2% receive a Pell Grant and 52.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Carson-Newman University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Carson-Newman University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Carson-Newman University graduates report a median income of $48,382, about 19% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Carson-Newman University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Carson-Newman University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Carson-Newman 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 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
Degree Programs at Carson-Newman University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Carson-Newman University Admissions
Carson-Newman University graduates earn a lower median salary of $48,382/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Carson-Newman University is moderate, around $46,345/year; many students supplement with aid.
39.2% of Carson-Newman University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate is 68.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Carson-Newman University students is 3.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Carson-Newman University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.2 or below makes admission tougher at Carson-Newman University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Carson-Newman University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1111, and within the 940–1130 range, keeps you competitive.
Carson-Newman University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Carson-Newman University'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.
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