Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Georgetown, Texas
39.1% Acceptance Rate
Southwestern University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
39.1%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1269Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$63,645Annual Cost
$56,878Grad Salary
23.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
39.1%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1269
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1170–1340
ACT Middle 50%
24–30
Need-Based Aid
23.1% receive Pell
Southwestern University Southwestern University, founded in 1840 in Georgetown, Texas, is the state's oldest university and a leading private liberal arts institution. The 700-acre campus combines historic buildings with modern facilities like the Fondren-Jones Science Center and the Sarofim School of Fine Arts. Southwestern maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and offers an innovative Paideia curriculum that connects learning across disciplines. The university consistently ranks among the top national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is known for its strong undergraduate research opportunities across all majors.
Southwestern takes pride in its engaged learning approach, with all students completing capstone projects, internships, or study abroad experiences. The campus features the beautiful Lois Perkins Chapel and the award-winning Corbin J. Robertson Center. Southwestern's athletic teams, the Pirates, compete in NCAA Division III as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Recent additions include the renovated Mood-Bridwell Hall and new environmental field station. Southwestern's combination of academic rigor, personalized attention, and vibrant campus life just north of Austin creates a distinctive liberal arts experience in Texas.
Southwestern University Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 39.1%, Southwestern University rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What SU Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 39.1% 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
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Southwestern University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Southwestern University (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 95 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 1
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 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.
SU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SU is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.70–3.90.SU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
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
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is approximately 43%, making it selective but accessible for well-prepared applicants.
- Offers both Early Decision and Early Action admission plans.
- Uses holistic review, with academic record identified as the most important admission factor.
- Strong emphasis on rigorous college-preparatory coursework across core subjects.
- 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 SU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Southwestern 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.
Southwestern University (SU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at SU — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into SU Without SAT or ACT?
SU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Southwestern University Average SAT Score: 1269
Admitted students at Southwestern University average a 1269 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1269 — Slightly Competitive
A 1269 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Southwestern University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1170? A retake is worth it at SU — 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 | 610 | 570 | 650 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 600 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1269 | 1170 | 1340 |
A score under 1170 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 Southwestern University (SU) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in SU'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.
Southwestern University (SU) ACT Requirements
SU's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 27 |
| ACT English | 27 | 23 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 24 | 30 |
Can I get into Southwestern University with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of SU'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, 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, SU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SU
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
SU rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds — it's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Use Early Action as a Signal, Not a Safety Play
Southwestern openly distinguishes between Early Decision and Early Action, with EA intended for students showing a high level of interest while preserving flexibility. If Southwestern is among your top choices, apply EA and ensure your activities and essays clearly connect to the university's small liberal arts environment rather than presenting it as a generic Texas backup option.
Build a Liberal Arts Narrative Across Disciplines
Southwestern's review process emphasizes overall academic preparation rather than admission into a specific undergraduate school. Students who show intellectual range-such as linking humanities, sciences, and leadership experiences-often fit the institution's educational philosophy better than applicants presenting a narrowly pre-professional profile.
Show Readiness for Close Faculty Engagement
Use recommendations and activities to demonstrate how you contribute in discussion-based environments. Southwestern's size means faculty interaction is central to the student experience, so evidence of curiosity, collaboration, and initiative can be more persuasive than simply listing accomplishments.
Highlight Academic Challenge Relative to Opportunity
Because Southwestern reviews curriculum strength closely, explain why you selected advanced coursework available at your school. Students from smaller or less-resourced high schools should provide context that shows they maximized available opportunities.
Expert Insight: Many applicants treat Southwestern as a generic regional liberal arts college and submit applications that could be sent unchanged to dozens of similar institutions. That weakens demonstrated fit.
SU Profile
Full Name
Southwestern University (SU)
City
Georgetown
State
Texas
ZIP Code
78626
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a SU Degree Worth It?
At $63,645/year against a $56,878 median graduate salary, SU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $75,400, and graduates see a 2.91% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from SU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $63,645/year at SU; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At SU, 23.1% receive a Pell Grant and 43% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a SU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, SU graduates report a median income of $56,878, about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southwestern University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southwestern University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southwestern 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 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at SU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SU Admissions
Southwestern University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $56,878/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Southwestern University runs high — roughly $63,645+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
23.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Southwestern University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Southwestern University's acceptance rate is 39.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Southwestern University students is 3.5, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.2 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Southwestern University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.1 or below makes admission tougher at Southwestern University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Southwestern University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1269, and within the 1170–1340 range, keeps you competitive.
Southwestern University's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 1.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Southwestern 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.