Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Cedar City, Utah
80.5% Acceptance Rate
Southern Utah University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80.5%Acceptance Rate
3.58Avg GPA
1135Avg SAT
$19,512Annual Cost
$50,296Grad Salary
24.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80.5%
Avg GPA
3.58
Avg SAT
1135
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1095–1165
Avg Net Price
$11,432
Need-Based Aid
24.2% receive Pell
Southern Utah University is a public institution known for its commitment to academic excellence, student-centered learning, and regional engagement. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a supportive campus environment that encourages critical inquiry, research, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value education makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to achieve their academic and career ambitions.
Southern Utah University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Southern Utah University is inclusive by design: 80.5% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 80.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.58 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.13
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Southern Utah University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark August 15 for Southern Utah University (Regular — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 15 days left — Regular
Regular
August 15
Priority
December 1
💡 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.
Southern Utah University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Southern Utah University is 3.58. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.28 and 3.58? 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 3.78–3.98.Southern Utah University 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
3.58 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.38 – 3.57
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.18 – 3.37
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.17
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Semester in the Parks lets up to 20 students from any major live, work, and study for a full semester based in or near a national park (16 credits, guaranteed resort employment, Interagency Pass included); requires a separate application due by a set February deadline through the Outdoor Engagement Center
- B.S. in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism draws interdisciplinary coursework from agriculture science, biology, communications, geology, and hospitality management, supported by SUU's location within 100 miles of multiple national parks; Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (IIC) places students from any major in paid national park/public land internships
- General admission requires no essay, no application fee, and is automatically considered for academic scholarships; Leadership Scholarship requires a separate application plus mandatory Leadership Weekend attendance
- Transfer admission splits at the 24-credit threshold: 24+ transferable credits evaluated on college GPA (2.0+) alone; under 24 credits evaluated on both college and unweighted high school GPA
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 Southern Utah University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Southern Utah 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.
Southern Utah University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Southern Utah 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 Southern Utah University Without SAT or ACT?
Southern Utah University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Southern Utah University Average SAT Score: 1135
Admitted students at Southern Utah University average a 1135 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1135 — Less Competitive
A 1135 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Southern Utah University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1095? A retake is worth it at Southern Utah 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1095 | 1165 |
A score under 1095 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1165+ 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 1150
Can I get into Southern Utah University with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Southern Utah 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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Southern Utah University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Southern Utah University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
For students drawn to outdoor/environmental fields, the Semester in the Parks program offers something most universities simply can't - an entire semester based inside a national park
SUU's Semester in the Parks program (administered through the Outdoor Engagement Center) lets up to 20 students from any major live, work, and study for a full semester in or near a national park (Bryce Canyon in its inaugural run), taking 16 credits in subjects like geology, biology, outdoor recreation, and communication while holding a guaranteed job at the neighboring resort that helps offset living costs, plus an Interagency Pass granting access to 2,000+ recreation areas nationwide. A student with any environmental, outdoor recreation, or place-based learning interest should apply specifically for this program (with applications due by a set February deadline) rather than assuming a standard SUU enrollment automatically includes this kind of immersive experience - it requires its own separate application process.
Use SUU's "University of the Parks" geography deliberately if outdoor recreation, tourism, or natural-resource careers are the goal
SUU's location within roughly 100 miles of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, and Grand Canyon (and within a half-day's drive of 11 national parks/monuments/recreation areas total) directly supports its interdisciplinary B.S. in Outdoor Recreation in Parks and Tourism, drawing coursework from agriculture science, biology, communications, geology, and hospitality management - a genuinely location-dependent academic structure rather than a generic "outdoorsy campus" claim. A student interested in this field should specifically ask about the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative (IIC), which places students from any major directly into paid internships at nearby national parks and public lands agencies.
Skip writing a personal essay for general admission - SUU explicitly doesn't use one - but don't skip the Leadership Scholarship's separate application and weekend event
SUU's general admission requires no essay at all, but the Leadership Scholarship requires a distinct application process plus mandatory attendance at a Leadership Weekend event, separate from the academic scholarships that are automatically considered upon admission. A student interested specifically in leadership-based funding should treat this as an active, time-bound commitment (attending an in-person weekend event) rather than a passive scholarship application like the automatic academic awards.
For transfer students, know the exact GPA-and-credit-count formula that determines which admission pathway applies
SUU's transfer admission criteria split specifically at the 24-credit mark: students with 24+ transferable credits (not including concurrent enrollment) are evaluated solely on college cumulative GPA (2.0+), while students under 24 credits are evaluated on both their college GPA and their unweighted high school GPA together. A transfer student close to the 24-credit threshold should understand which formula applies to them specifically, since the evaluation criteria genuinely differ rather than simply becoming "easier" or "harder" at a higher credit count.
Expert Insight:
A student drawn to SUU specifically for its "University of the Parks" branding and outdoor programs should confirm directly with the Outdoor Engagement Center which programs (Semester in the Parks, IIC internships, Outdoor EDGE) are actually running in a given year and what their separate application deadlines are, since these distinctive offerings are not part of general admission and have historically been capacity-limited (e.g., 20 students for Semester in the Parks) with their own February application deadlines that a student focused only on the general SUU application timeline could easily miss.
Southern Utah University Profile
Full Name
Southern Utah University
City
Cedar City
State
Utah
ZIP Code
84720
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Southern Utah University Degree Worth It?
At $19,512/year against a $50,296 median graduate salary, Southern Utah University 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 $55,500, and graduates see a 3.42% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Southern Utah University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $19,512/year at Southern Utah University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $11,432.
At Southern Utah University, 24.2% receive a Pell Grant and 17.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Southern Utah University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Southern Utah University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Southern Utah University graduates report a median income of $50,296, about 24% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Southern Utah University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Southern Utah University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Southern Utah University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Southern Utah University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Utah University Admissions
Southern Utah University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $50,296/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Southern Utah University is relatively affordable, around $19,512/year.
24.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Southern Utah University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Southern Utah University's acceptance rate is 80.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Southern Utah University students is 3.58, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.28 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Southern Utah University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.18 or below makes admission tougher at Southern Utah University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Southern Utah University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1135, and within the 1095–1165 range, keeps you competitive.
Southern Utah University's deadline is August 15 (Regular).
Southern Utah 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 December 1, 2026 — that's Southern Utah 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.