Last Updated: Sunday July 26, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
South College — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
For-Profit Private Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Knoxville, Tennessee

South College Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Knoxville, Tennessee 37909-0000 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.south.edu/

South College — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

$30,181Annual Cost
$36,642Grad Salary
49.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
49.8% receive Pell

South College is a private institution with multiple campuses and robust online programs. Established in 1882, the college offers career-focused programs in health sciences, business, and legal studies. The 'Knoxville Campus' features the 'Health Science Building' with simulation labs.

South College's 'Accelerated Programs' allow faster degree completion, while its 'Doctor of Pharmacy' program prepares healthcare professionals. The college maintains accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. South College serves traditional and adult learners across its locations.

South College Acceptance Rate

South College runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% 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

Open Enrollment
South College Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

South College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

South College 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

South College 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.

$50Application Fee
RollingAdmission Type

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 South College

Admission Chance Predictor

Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on South College'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.

South College Test Requirements

Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if South College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

Can I Get Into South College Without SAT or ACT?

South College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for South College

Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer

Getting into South College is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.

Map Your Program-Specific Fee and Deadline Before Applying - They Vary Significantly

South College's application fee depends entirely on your program: $50 for most programs, $95 for Physician Assistant, $60 for Doctor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Physical Therapy. The PA program also runs on a far longer lead time than general admission - the Fall 2027 cohort's application deadline is March 1, 2027, over a year out. If PA is your target, build your prerequisite and application timeline around that specific external deadline now, not around South College's general rolling-admission pace.

Ask Specifically Which Programs Currently Have No Waitlist Before Committing to a Campus

South College markets 'no waitlist' as a structural advantage at its Knoxville-Lonas campus, but this status is program- and campus-specific and changes over time. Before committing to a location, ask admissions directly which program at which specific campus currently has no waitlist - don't assume the marketing claim applies uniformly across all 150+ programs and nine campus locations.

Check Current Program-Specific Accreditation Status Directly From South College's Own Disclosures

South College's own accreditation disclosure page shows the Nashville Occupational Therapy Assistant program was placed on Probationary Accreditation (effective April 25, 2026) by ACOTE due to certification exam pass rate noncompliance, and the Atlanta Radiography program currently holds JRCERT probation status. These are program-specific statuses distinct from South College's overall SACSCOC institutional accreditation - if either program is your target, request the institution's current Progress Report status before enrolling, since program-level probation can affect certification eligibility.

Use South College Promise and Yellow Ribbon Funding Proactively at the Financial Aid Stage

Beyond TN Promise, South College offers its own named aid programs - the South College Promise and Yellow Ribbon Program funding for veterans and military-affiliated students. Raise these specifically with financial aid during your application process rather than waiting for a general aid offer, since named institutional programs like these often require a separate conversation or application step beyond the standard FAFSA.

Expert Insight:

Prospective Occupational Therapy Assistant (Nashville) and Radiography (Atlanta) applicants should know - directly from South College's own published accreditation disclosures - that these two specific programs currently carry Probationary Accreditation status from their specialized accreditors (ACOTE and JRCERT respectively). This is separate from the college's overall SACSCOC institutional accreditation and is a real, named, program-specific status that could affect a graduate's certification eligibility - confirm current status directly with the program before enrolling.

South College Profile

Full Name
South College
City
Knoxville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37909-0000
Type
For-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

Is a South College Degree Worth It?

South College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.

The average household income among admitted students is $49,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.28%.

How much does a degree from South College Cost?

The sticker price is $30,181/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.

49.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 61.7% take federal loans at South College — file your FAFSA early and list South College as a choice to be considered for both.

How much does a South College Graduate earn?

Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $36,642 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.

$30,181Annual Cost
49.8%Pell Grant
61.7%Federal Loan
$36,642Grad Salary (10yr)

Degree Programs at South College

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs

Associate Degree Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About South College Admissions

Median earnings for South College graduates sit around $36,642 a year.

South College costs roughly $30,181 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.

About 49.8% receive a Pell Grant at South College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

South College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

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.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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