Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Henderson, Tennessee
90.6% Acceptance Rate
Freed-Hardeman University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
90.6%Acceptance Rate
3.75Avg GPA
1109Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$36,972Annual Cost
$47,485Grad Salary
22.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
90.6%
Avg GPA
3.75
Avg SAT
1109
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
934–1084
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Need-Based Aid
22.5% receive Pell
Freed-Hardeman University (TN) is a private, faith-based institution that integrates Christian values with academic instruction. Admissions are holistic, weighing academic merit alongside an applicant's potential to contribute to a community committed to spiritual and intellectual growth. Highlighting involvement in church or youth-oriented service is recommended.
Freed-Hardeman University Acceptance Rate
Freed-Hardeman University runs an open-access admission policy — with a 90.6% 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 — 90.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.30
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Freed-Hardeman University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Freed-Hardeman University is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 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.
Freed-Hardeman University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Freed-Hardeman University is 3.75. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.45 and 3.75? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.95–4.15.Freed-Hardeman University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.75 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.55 – 3.74
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.35 – 3.54
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.34
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The FHU Promise offers up to 90% tuition coverage for Pell-eligible students with a 21+ ACT (or SAT/CLT equivalent) and 3.0+ GPA.
- Bible courses are required every semester alongside daily chapel attendance, tied to the university's Church of Christ affiliation.
- FHU does not have national fraternities/sororities; instead it operates local, co-educational social clubs unique to the campus.
- Students are required to live on campus through their junior year, longer than the typical one-to-two-year residency requirement at most universities.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Freed-Hardeman University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Freed-Hardeman 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.
Freed-Hardeman University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Freed-Hardeman University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Freed-Hardeman University Without SAT or ACT?
Freed-Hardeman University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Freed-Hardeman University Average SAT Score: 1109
The average SAT score of admitted students at Freed-Hardeman University is 1109 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1109 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1084 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Freed-Hardeman 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 934, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Freed-Hardeman University. 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 | 505 | 467 | 542 |
| SAT Reading | 505 | 467 | 542 |
| SAT Composite | 1109 | 934 | 1084 |
Below 934, you're behind most admitted students; at 1084 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 Freed-Hardeman University with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of Freed-Hardeman University'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.
Freed-Hardeman University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Freed-Hardeman University is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Freed-Hardeman University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Freed-Hardeman University'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 Freed-Hardeman University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Freed-Hardeman University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Freed-Hardeman University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Check FHU Promise eligibility - it can cover up to 90% of tuition
Pell Grant-eligible students with at least a 21 ACT (or SAT/CLT equivalent) and a 3.0 GPA qualify for the FHU Promise, which offers up to 90% tuition coverage. If you're Pell-eligible and meet these academic benchmarks, apply for FAFSA and confirm FHU Promise eligibility early in your application process, since this is a specific, named program with real dollar impact - not just generic financial aid language.
Budget mandatory Bible coursework and daily chapel into every semester's schedule
FHU requires Bible courses each semester alongside daily chapel attendance, structural academic requirements tied to the university's Church of Christ affiliation. Build these into your course planning from freshman year as non-negotiable credit requirements, not electives you can defer, since they're baked into every degree plan regardless of major.
Use FHU's local social clubs instead of expecting traditional Greek life
FHU does not have traditional national fraternities and sororities - instead, it operates co-educational social clubs that are local only to FHU with no national Greek affiliation. If social community matters to your college decision, research these specific local clubs directly rather than assuming standard Greek recruitment processes or national organization benefits apply.
Plan for on-campus residency through your junior year - longer than most schools require
FHU requires students to live on campus through their junior year, a longer residency requirement than the one-or-two-year norm at most universities. Factor this extended on-campus cost and commitment into your four-year financial and housing planning rather than assuming you can move off campus after your first or second year.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes focus only on FHU's high acceptance rate (around 91%) and overlook that daily chapel, mandatory Bible coursework every semester, and a strict no-alcohol policy are genuine, non-negotiable structural features of the university - not just cultural flavor. Some students who prioritized flexibility or minimal religious structure in their college search have found these requirements more restrictive than expected after enrolling.
Freed-Hardeman University Profile
Full Name
Freed-Hardeman University
City
Henderson
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38340-2399
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Freed-Hardeman University Degree Worth It?
At $36,972/year against a $47,485 median graduate salary, Freed-Hardeman University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $53,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.34%.
How much does a degree from Freed-Hardeman University Cost?
The sticker price is $36,972/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
22.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 39.8% take federal loans at Freed-Hardeman University — file your FAFSA early and list Freed-Hardeman University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Freed-Hardeman University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $47,485 — about 17% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman 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 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Freed-Hardeman 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 Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Freed-Hardeman University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Freed-Hardeman University Admissions
Median earnings for Freed-Hardeman University graduates sit around $47,485 a year.
Freed-Hardeman University costs roughly $36,972 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Freed-Hardeman University's Pell Grant rate of 22.5% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 90.6%, Freed-Hardeman University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Freed-Hardeman University average a 3.75 GPA.
Freed-Hardeman University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.45 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.35, Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University — aim above 1109, ideally within the 934–1084 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Freed-Hardeman University is November 1 for Early Action applicants.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 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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