Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Nacogdoches, Texas
88.3% Acceptance Rate
Stephen F Austin State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.3%Acceptance Rate
3.26Avg GPA
1074Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$24,231Annual Cost
$49,634Grad Salary
36.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.3%
Avg GPA
3.26
Avg SAT
1074
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
980–1160
ACT Middle 50%
18–25
Avg Net Price
$15,152
Need-Based Aid
36.8% receive Pell
Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution in Texas that balances a tradition-steeped campus life with rigorous academic preparation. Admissions are primarily based on academic performance and rank, though a holistic review is conducted for students who fall slightly outside standard benchmarks. The university seeks well-rounded individuals who will engage in campus traditions and academic organizations.
Applicants should highlight their consistency in high school grades and their participation in extracurricular activities, as these indicate a likelihood of success in the university's small, supportive environment. Providing a personal statement that outlines specific academic and career goals is recommended, as this allows the admissions team to gauge a student's level of self-directed motivation. Demonstrating a clear desire to contribute to the university community through leadership or service is often a deciding factor for competitive applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Stephen F Austin State University is inclusive by design. 88.3% 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 — 88.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.26 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.81
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Stephen F Austin State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Stephen F Austin State University (Regular (Spring) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 111 days left — Regular (Spring)
Regular (Spring)
December 1
Regular (Summer)
May 1
Regular (Fall)
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2025/11/01) 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.
SFASU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SFASU is 3.26. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.96–3.26 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 3.46–3.66.SFASU 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
3.26 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.06 – 3.25
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.86 – 3.05
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.85
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Public university in Nacogdoches, TX ("Lumberjacks"); rolling admissions, no fixed deadline; $45 application fee.
- Acceptance rate has been reported in the 61-88% range depending on source/year - sources conflict, likely reflecting year-over-year tightening, so verify current-cycle figures directly with admissions before advising a student on odds.
- Average admitted GPA is commonly cited around 3.26-3.33; middle-50% ACT composite is 18-25.
- SFA is a designated UT Austin CAP (Coordinated Admission Program) partner school with its own May 1/May 8 internal deadlines separate from the general SFA application.
- 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 SFASU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Stephen F Austin State 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.
Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at SFASU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into SFASU Without SAT or ACT?
SFASU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Stephen F Austin State University Average SAT Score: 1074
Admitted students at Stephen F Austin State University average a 1074 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1074 — Accessible
A 1074 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1160 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Stephen F Austin State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 980? A retake is worth it at SFASU. 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 | 525 | 480 | 570 |
| SAT Reading | 545 | 500 | 590 |
| SAT Composite | 1074 | 980 | 1160 |
A score under 980 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1160+ 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 1050
Can I get into Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in SFASU'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.
Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) ACT Requirements
SFASU's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 25 |
Can I get into Stephen F Austin State University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of SFASU'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, SFASU 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 SFASU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SFASU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the Top 10%/Texas auto-admission law as your floor, not your ceiling
As a Texas public university, SFA grants automatic admission to Texas high school graduates in the top 10% of their class under state law - but SFA's own data shows only 42% of enrolled freshmen come from the top quarter and 74% from the top half, meaning the realistic admit profile is far below the legal auto-admit line. Don't wait on a top-10% rank to apply: SFA is rolling admission with a published average GPA around 3.3, so apply as soon as your transcript reflects your strongest available GPA rather than holding out for a rank you don't need.
Get your homeschool transcript notarized on-site to avoid a rank penalty
SFA assigns class rank to homeschooled applicants administratively, calibrated to the average rank of applicants with equivalent ACT/SAT scores - meaning your assigned rank is test-score-dependent, not based on your actual academic record. The Office of Admissions notarizes official homeschool transcripts on-site at no charge specifically to support this evidence requirement. If you're homeschooled and want a fairer rank calculation, submit strong optional test scores alongside your notarized transcript rather than skipping testing because SFA is "test optional."
Apply automatically for the Academic Excellence Scholarship by simply completing your application
Unlike most merit scholarships, SFA automatically considers every complete freshman application for its Academic Excellence Scholarship - there's no separate scholarship application or essay to submit. Because this is GPA/rank-triggered and automatic, your sole actionable lever is submitting your strongest possible transcript (and any optional test score that helps your file) BEFORE the rolling review happens, since scholarship tiers are typically set at the time of the admission decision, not retroactively upgraded.
Consider the UT Austin Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) as a backdoor to Austin
If a student's real target is UT Austin but they're offered CAP instead, SFA is one of UT's designated CAP partner schools: complete a year at SFA while TSI-complete in math/English/essay, select SFA in the CAP agreement by May 1, pay the $25 SFA processing fee by May 8, and a qualifying GPA at SFA guarantees automatic transfer admission to UT Austin. This is a deliberate two-step strategy for students who didn't get direct UT Austin admission - treat the SFA year as a structured, guaranteed pathway, not a fallback.
Expert Insight:
Test-optional does not mean test-irrelevant at SFA: the university explicitly leans harder on GPA when scores are withheld, and homeschooled applicants without an official rank have their rank reconstructed FROM test scores - so a homeschooled student who skips testing to avoid "low score anxiety" may end up with a weaker assigned rank than if they had simply tested and submitted a mediocre-but-real score. Don't assume opting out of testing is a safe default for every applicant profile.
SFASU Profile
Full Name
Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU)
City
Nacogdoches
State
Texas
ZIP Code
75961
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a SFASU Degree Worth It?
Whether SFASU 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 $60,700, and graduates see a 3.6% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from SFASU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $24,231/year at SFASU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $15,152.
At SFASU, 36.8% receive a Pell Grant and 42.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SFASU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a SFASU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, SFASU graduates report a median income of $49,634, about 22% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Stephen F Austin State University. 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 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | 1057 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Stephen F Austin State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Stephen F Austin State University. 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 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at SFASU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SFASU Admissions
Stephen F Austin State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,634/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Stephen F Austin State University is relatively affordable, around $24,231/year.
36.8% of Stephen F Austin State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Stephen F Austin State University's acceptance rate is 88.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Stephen F Austin State University students is 3.26, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.96 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Stephen F Austin State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.86 or below makes admission tougher at Stephen F Austin State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Stephen F Austin State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1074, and within the 980–1160 range, keeps you competitive.
Stephen F Austin State University's deadline is December 1 (Regular (Spring)).
Stephen F Austin State University charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2025/11/01. That's Stephen F Austin State 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.