Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Nashville, Tennessee
83.9% Acceptance Rate
John A Gupton College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.9%Acceptance Rate
1050Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$29,705Annual Cost
$46,902Grad Salary
36.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.9%
Avg SAT
1050
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1080
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Need-Based Aid
36.2% receive Pell
John A Gupton College, established in 1946 in Nashville, Tennessee, specializes in funeral service education. One of the oldest mortuary science programs in the South.
The campus features embalming labs, funeral directing classrooms, and a restorative arts studio. Students gain practical experience through partnerships with local funeral homes and memorial service providers.
John A Gupton College Acceptance Rate
John A Gupton College runs an open-access admission policy. With a 83.9% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
John A Gupton College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for John A Gupton College is November 1 for Spring Admission applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Spring Admission
Spring Admission
November 1
Summer Admission
April 1
Fall Admission
July 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at John A Gupton College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on John A Gupton College's verified institutional data
--%
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.
John A Gupton College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if John A Gupton College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into John A Gupton College Without SAT or ACT?
John A Gupton College requires SAT or ACT scores. Applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
John A Gupton College Average SAT Score: 1050
The average SAT score of admitted students at John A Gupton College is 1050 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1050 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? John A Gupton College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1010, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at John A Gupton College. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1050 | 1010 | 1080 |
Below 1010, you're behind most admitted students; at 1080 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 1050
Can I get into John A Gupton College with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of John A Gupton College'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.
John A Gupton College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at John A Gupton College is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 15 | 20 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into John A Gupton College with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of John A Gupton College's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that 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, especially Science 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 John A Gupton College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for John A Gupton College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
John A Gupton College is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Name the Only-Mortuary-School-in-Tennessee Positioning Directly
John A. Gupton is the only mortuary school in Tennessee. A Tennessee resident pursuing funeral service/embalming licensure should name this directly when discussing their plans, since it means no in-state alternative exists - worth factoring into timeline planning even though overall admission is effectively open.
Confirm the ACT Science Section Requirement Specifically
Gupton enforces a specific ACT composite minimum of 18 with the Science section specifically required, or an SAT minimum of 960 - firm, concrete thresholds. A student with a borderline score should confirm directly whether their ACT Science subscore meets this specific requirement, since general "test friendly" messaging elsewhere in the mortuary-school industry could lead a family to underestimate this hard requirement here.
Ask for Current National Board Exam Pass Rate Data Directly
The program's central value proposition is preparing students to pass the National Board Exam on the first attempt. A prospective student should ask admissions directly for the college's current first-time pass rate data - not just general reputation - and compare it explicitly if considering other regional mortuary science programs, since this is the single most consequential outcome metric for this field.
Submit Prior Apprenticeship Documentation to Potentially Shorten Externship Requirements
Documented prior apprenticeship experience (6+ months completed under a state funeral board) can be credited toward the required externship component. A student who has already begun an informal apprenticeship or worked under a licensed funeral director should submit this documentation specifically, rather than assuming they must start the externship requirement from zero.
Expert Insight:
Application materials have specific, easy-to-miss procedural requirements: recommendation letters must be hand-signed by a non-family member, and all transcripts and test scores must be sent directly by the issuing institution or testing agency - student-forwarded copies are rejected as unofficial. Review Gupton's full admission procedures checklist before assuming a single document mix-up won't matter, since improperly-submitted files delay processing.
John A Gupton College Profile
Full Name
John A Gupton College
City
Nashville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37203-2954
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a John A Gupton College Degree Worth It?
Whether John A Gupton College 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $49,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.55%.
How much does a degree from John A Gupton College Cost?
The sticker price is $29,705/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
36.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 39.8% take federal loans at John A Gupton College. File your FAFSA early and list John A Gupton College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a John A Gupton College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,902. That's about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than John A Gupton College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as John A Gupton College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than John A Gupton College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at John A Gupton College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About John A Gupton College Admissions
Median earnings for John A Gupton College graduates sit around $46,902 a year.
At about $29,705 a year, John A Gupton College is on the more affordable end.
About 36.2% receive a Pell Grant at John A Gupton College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 83.9%, John A Gupton College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at John A Gupton College — aim above 1050, ideally within the 1010–1080 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for John A Gupton College is November 1 for Spring Admission applicants.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
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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