Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Pulaski, Tennessee
82.7% Acceptance Rate
The University of Tennessee Southern — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
82.7%Acceptance Rate
3.17Avg GPA
1088Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$25,827Annual Cost
$38,924Grad Salary
33%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
82.7%
Avg GPA
3.17
Avg SAT
1088
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
995–1150
ACT Middle 50%
19–23
Avg Net Price
$15,133
Need-Based Aid
33% receive Pell
The University of Tennessee Southern is a public institution that provides a personalized and high-value educational experience in a supportive, regional setting. Offering a range of undergraduate degree programs, the university emphasizes academic excellence, career readiness, and student success. Its focus on small class sizes and practical professional preparation makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to reach their full potential.
The University of Tennessee Southern Acceptance Rate
Admission at The University of Tennessee Southern is inclusive by design. 82.7% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — 82.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.17 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.97 – 3.16
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.72
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The University of Tennessee Southern Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The University of Tennessee Southern 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
The University of Tennessee Southern 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
The University of Tennessee Southern GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at The University of Tennessee Southern is 3.17. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.87–3.17 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.37–3.57.The University of Tennessee Southern GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.17 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.97 – 3.16
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.77 – 2.96
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.76
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UT Southern (formerly Martin Methodist College, a private Methodist institution) became a public university within the UT System in 2021; it charges no application fee and requires no personal essay or letter of recommendation for first-year applicants.
- Admission runs on two explicit criteria tracks: 17+ ACT/920+ SAT with a 3.0+ GPA, or 18+ ACT/960+ SAT with a 2.5+ GPA; students meeting neither can appeal.
- UT Promise offers a last-dollar scholarship covering tuition and mandatory fees for HOPE-eligible Tennessee residents with household income and assets under $75,000 - but requires completing TN Promise, its mandatory meeting, and FAFSA on separate, early deadlines.
- Reported acceptance-rate and test-score figures vary noticeably by source (roughly 80-87% acceptance, with middle-50% SAT bands reported anywhere from about 905-1180) - treat any single number as approximate.
- 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 The University of Tennessee Southern
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from The University of Tennessee Southern'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.
The University of Tennessee Southern Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at The University of Tennessee Southern. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into The University of Tennessee Southern Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at The University of Tennessee Southern. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
The University of Tennessee Southern Average SAT Score: 1088
Admitted students at The University of Tennessee Southern average a 1088 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1088 — Accessible
A 1088 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1150 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? The University of Tennessee Southern allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 995? A retake is worth it at The University of Tennessee Southern. 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 | 550 | 515 | 585 |
| SAT Reading | 523 | 480 | 565 |
| SAT Composite | 1088 | 995 | 1150 |
A score under 995 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1150+ 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 The University of Tennessee Southern with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in The University of Tennessee Southern'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.
The University of Tennessee Southern ACT Requirements
The University of Tennessee Southern's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 17 | 22 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 19 | 23 |
Can I get into The University of Tennessee Southern with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of The University of Tennessee Southern'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, The University of Tennessee Southern 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 The University of Tennessee Southern
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
The University of Tennessee Southern is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Stack UT Promise on top of TN Promise/HOPE to make this a near-free UT System degree
UT Southern participates in UT Promise, a last-dollar scholarship covering tuition and mandatory fees for Tennessee residents who qualify for HOPE and have household adjusted gross income and assets under $75,000. To capture it, a graduating senior must complete the TN Promise application (due in early November of senior year), attend the mandatory TN Promise meeting, file the FAFSA as soon as it opens, and list UT Southern as the institution of choice in the TSAC portal - miss any one step and the last-dollar award doesn't activate even if the student is otherwise eligible.
Know which of the two admission criteria to build toward
UT Southern admits first-time freshmen under one of two explicit paths: a 17+ ACT (920+ SAT) with a 3.0+ high school GPA, or an 18+ ACT (960+ SAT) with a 2.5+ GPA. A student sitting just below one threshold should target the other - for example, a 2.6 GPA student should aim for an 18 rather than a 17 on the ACT, since a single point can be the difference between meeting Criteria 2 and needing a formal appeal.
Use the top-10%/4.0 guarantee as a UT System-wide play, not just a UT Southern one
Students who rank in the top 10% of their graduating class or carry a 4.0 GPA get guaranteed early admittance not just to UT Southern but to UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, and UT Martin as well (also true for a 3.2+ GPA or top-10% finish combined with a 23+ ACT). A student unsure which UT campus fits can apply under this guarantee to UT Southern first, then pursue an internal UT System transfer once enrolled, as a lower-stress way to lock in a UT System seat while still deciding.
Use the zero-cost, no-essay application to reserve a spot in bottleneck programs early
UT Southern charges no application fee and doesn't require a personal essay or letter of recommendation for first-year applicants, removing any reason to delay applying. Because small, growing programs like Cybersecurity and the teacher-licensure pathway (with K-12 partnerships across Tennessee classrooms) have limited faculty capacity, applying and declaring intent to those majors early - well before the traditional spring decision season - gives a practical edge in advising and cohort placement.
Expert Insight:
Because UT Southern's own general admission is genuinely easy (no essay, no fee, high acceptance rate), families sometimes skip the separate, time-sensitive UT Promise/TN Promise paperwork entirely, assuming financial aid will "just happen" the way general admission did - and then miss the early-November TN Promise deadline or the mandatory meeting requirement, permanently forfeiting the last-dollar scholarship for that academic year.
The University of Tennessee Southern Profile
Full Name
The University of Tennessee Southern
City
Pulaski
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38478-2799
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a The University of Tennessee Southern Degree Worth It?
Whether The University of Tennessee Southern 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 $49,200, and graduates see a 3.19% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from The University of Tennessee Southern Cost?
Listed tuition runs $25,827/year at The University of Tennessee Southern. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $15,133.
At The University of Tennessee Southern, 33% receive a Pell Grant and 33.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming The University of Tennessee Southern on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a The University of Tennessee Southern Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates report a median income of $38,924, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tennessee Southern. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| 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 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The University of Tennessee Southern. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tennessee Southern. 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 South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at The University of Tennessee Southern
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions
The University of Tennessee Southern graduates earn a lower median salary of $38,924/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at The University of Tennessee Southern is relatively affordable, around $25,827/year.
33.0% of The University of Tennessee Southern students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The University of Tennessee Southern's acceptance rate is 82.7%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted The University of Tennessee Southern students is 3.17, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.87 puts you in the standard applicant pool at The University of Tennessee Southern. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.77 or below makes admission tougher at The University of Tennessee Southern, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
The University of Tennessee Southern weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1088, and within the 995–1150 range, keeps you competitive.
The University of Tennessee Southern follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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