Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Jackson, Tennessee
47.2% Acceptance Rate
Union University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
47.2%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1243Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$55,790Annual Cost
$53,990Grad Salary
25.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
47.2%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1243
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1340
ACT Middle 50%
22–29
Need-Based Aid
25.2% receive Pell
Union University Union University, founded in 1823 in Jackson, Tennessee, is a private Baptist university offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. The 290-acre campus provides a Christ-centered education with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Union is particularly known for its strong programs in nursing, education, and Christian studies. Campus features include the state-of-the-art Fesmire Fields Science Building and the newly renovated Miller Tower. The university's athletic teams, the Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division II.
Union takes pride in its commitment to integrating faith and learning across all disciplines. Campus life includes chapel services, mission opportunities, and student organizations focused on spiritual growth. The university has expanded its health sciences programs while maintaining strong offerings in traditional disciplines. Recent initiatives include the Center for Racial Reconciliation and upgraded technology infrastructure. Union's combination of academic excellence, Christian environment, and beautiful campus creates a transformative educational experience.
Union University Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 47.2%, Union University rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What Union University Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 47.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Union University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Union University (Early Action — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 89 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.
Union University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Union University is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.00–4.20.Union University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
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
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional admits are required to participate in Union's Keystone Program.
- Honors Community requires a separate application from general undergraduate admission.
- Test-optional consideration requires a 3.0+ GPA, with priority to students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment coursework ranked in the top 50% of their class.
- Affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention); founded 1823, making it Tennessee's oldest university.
- 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 Union University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Union 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.
Union University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Union 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 Union University Without SAT or ACT?
Union University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Union University Average SAT Score: 1243
Admitted students at Union University average a 1243 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1243 — Slightly Competitive
A 1243 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Union University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1030? A retake is worth it at Union 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 | 570 | 490 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 615 | 540 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1243 | 1030 | 1340 |
A score under 1030 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1340+ 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 1250
Can I get into Union University with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in Union 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.
Union University ACT Requirements
Union University's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 29 |
Can I get into Union University with a 29 ACT?
At 29, you're in the top quarter of Union 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, Union 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 Union University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Union University rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
If admitted test-optional, plan for the Keystone Program
Students admitted without standardized test scores are required to participate in Union's Keystone Program, a distinct academic-support track. Ask directly what this involves for your intended major so you're not surprised by it after enrolling.
Apply to Honors Community separately - it's not automatic
Union's Honors Community is a multidisciplinary, faith-integrated program with its own application, distinct from general admission. If you want it, submit that application on its own timeline rather than assuming strong stats alone will place you there.
Use your class rank and rigor, not just GPA, if going test-optional
Union gives test-optional priority to students in Honors, AP, or Dual Enrollment courses who rank in the top 50% of their class. If you're skipping test scores, make sure your transcript actively documents that rigor rather than leaving it implicit.
Speak to the Baptist/Christian mission in your application, especially for Honors
Union is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and frames Honors around "whole-person discipleship." An essay that ignores this dimension misses what the Honors reviewers are actually screening for.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat "test-optional" as a purely neutral choice, but at Union it triggers a specific downstream requirement - the Keystone Program - so going test-optional isn't consequence-free; know what you're opting into.
Union University Profile
Full Name
Union University
City
Jackson
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
38305-3697
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Union University Degree Worth It?
Whether Union 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 $58,800, and graduates see a 3.33% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Union University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $55,790/year at Union University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Union University, 25.2% receive a Pell Grant and 47.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Union University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Union University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Union University graduates report a median income of $53,990, about 33% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Union University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Union University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1242 | 29 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 1242 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Union University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Union University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Union University Admissions
Union University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $53,990/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Union University runs high, at roughly $55,790+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
25.2% of Union University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Union University's acceptance rate is 47.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Union University students is 3.8, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.5 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Union University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.4 or below makes admission tougher at Union University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Union University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1243, and within the 1030–1340 range, keeps you competitive.
Union University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action).
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Union 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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