Southern Adventist University Answers

Admissions

First-Year Admission

What GPA and ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year admission to Southern Adventist University?

Southern lists a minimum 2.5 high school GPA for regular first-year admission, along with an ACT score of 18 or SAT score of 960, subject to Southern's test-optional policy. View undergraduate admission requirements .

Is Southern Adventist University test optional for undergraduate admission?

Yes. ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission when an applicant's cumulative high school GPA is at least 2.75. Some academic programs and course placements may still require test scores. Learn more about undergraduate admission requirements .

When are Southern's priority application deadlines for first-year and transfer students?

Southern currently lists March 1 as the fall priority deadline for first-year students and June 1 for transfer students. No priority deadline is listed for winter or summer admission. Check current admission deadlines .

Transfer Students

What are Southern Adventist University's transfer admission requirements?

Transfer applicants must submit a transcript from every college attended and have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.5. An official high school transcript is also required. View transfer admission requirements .

International Students

What documents and deposit must an international undergraduate applicant submit to Southern?

Southern lists evaluated transcripts, standardized test information, English-proficiency scores, a declaration of finances, passport identification, and a $3,000 international commitment deposit, with some country-specific exceptions. View international student admission information .

Graduate Admission

What are the baseline requirements for regular graduate admission at Southern?

Graduate applicants generally need an application, official relevant undergraduate transcripts, professional recommendations when requested, program-specific materials, and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA for regular admission. Individual programs may have additional requirements. View graduate admission requirements .

Does Southern require the GRE or GMAT for graduate admission?

The GRE is not required for Southern graduate programs. The MBA requires the GMAT unless the applicant meets one of Southern's stated GPA or professional experience exemptions. Review graduate testing requirements .

Are Southern's graduate application deadlines the same for every program?

No. Graduate application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and admission processes vary by program. Check graduate program deadlines and requirements .

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate Costs

How much does undergraduate attendance at Southern cost in 2026–2027?

Southern's sample 2026–2027 annual total is $40,300 for a residence-hall student and $30,400 for a community student. Both examples include $28,900 in tuition and a $1,500 general fee. View current undergraduate tuition and fees .

What is Southern's undergraduate per-credit tuition for part-time, overload, and summer study in 2026–2027?

Southern lists tuition of $1,090 per credit for enrollment below 12 hours and $830 per credit for hours above 16 or for summer study. Summer rates begin May 1. View undergraduate tuition details .

Graduate Costs

How much is graduate tuition at Southern in 2026–2027?

For 2026–2027, Southern lists master's tuition at $830 per credit and doctoral tuition at $1,040 per credit. Program-specific costs may vary. View graduate tuition and financial information .

Scholarships

How do Southern's renewable academic scholarships for first-year students work?

Southern calculates academic scholarship eligibility using GPA and ACT-equivalent points, with current awards ranging from $2,000 per year through 50% of tuition. Renewal requires full-time status and a 2.0 GPA. Explore Southern grants and scholarships .

How can an incoming student qualify for Southern's renewable full-tuition scholarship?

Southern currently lists a single-date ACT composite score of 34 or an SAT total of 1490 as part of the eligibility requirements for its renewable full-tuition scholarship. Required documents are due April 1. Review scholarship requirements .

FAFSA and Financial Aid

Must a Southern student complete the FAFSA to receive a Federal Direct Loan?

Yes. Southern states that students applying for a Federal Direct Loan must first submit the FAFSA. Students must also meet enrollment and program eligibility requirements. Learn about student loans .

What does it mean if Southern selects a FAFSA for verification?

FAFSA verification requires Southern to confirm information reported on a student's FAFSA before financial aid can be applied. Required documents depend on the student's assigned verification group. View financial-aid verification information .

Does Southern offer a graduate tuition discount for recent alumni?

Beginning fall 2026, qualifying Southern bachelor's graduates from the previous three years may receive a 20% tuition discount in five designated graduate programs, subject to eligibility requirements. View graduate financial information .

Academics

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

How many academic options does Southern Adventist University offer?

Southern states that students can choose from more than 100 academic options. Explore Southern Adventist University .

What fields of graduate study does Southern offer?

Southern offers graduate study in areas including business, computing, counseling, education, nursing, religion, and social work, with online, hybrid, and in-person formats available depending on the program. Explore graduate programs .

Computing

Can computing students earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years at Southern?

Yes. Southern's School of Computing offers a five-year BS/MS dual-degree option for eligible students. Explore the School of Computing .

Is Southern's Master of Science in Computer Science online or on campus?

Southern's Master of Science in Computer Science is a 33-credit, in-person program that is normally completed in about two years of full-time study. Part-time and integrated five-year options are also available. Explore Southern's graduate programs .

Nursing

What nursing degrees does Southern offer, and are they accredited?

Southern lists nursing programs including the AS, BSN, RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, post-master's certificate, BSN-to-DNP, DNP, and DNP specialist certificate. Southern states that its nursing programs are accredited by ACEN and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. Explore Southern's School of Nursing .

Engineering and Physics

What hands-on opportunities do engineering and physics students have at Southern?

Southern engineering and physics students may participate in experimental and theoretical research, use professional software such as SolidWorks and Mathematica, and pursue external summer research and internships connected with degree requirements. Explore the School of Engineering and Physics .

Social Work

Can Southern's Master of Social Work be completed online?

Yes. Southern lists its Master of Social Work as fully online, with classes meeting twice monthly on Sundays. Foundation and advanced-placement options have different credit and completion requirements. Explore Southern's graduate programs .

Academic Support

Does Southern provide free tutoring?

Yes. Southern's Tutoring Center offers free individual and group tutoring to Southern students in more than 50 courses, with both in-person and online appointments available. Visit the Tutoring Center .

Faith at Southern

Seventh-day Adventist Identity

Is Southern Adventist University affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

Yes. Southern states that it was established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is dedicated to the beliefs of the church. Learn about Southern's mission, vision, and values .

What is Southern Adventist University's mission?

Southern's mission is “Transforming lives for eternity,” supported by commitments to excellence, deep faith, service, and wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Read Southern's mission, vision, and values .

Faith and Academics

How is Christian faith integrated into academics at Southern?

Southern describes faith integration through practices such as prayer or short worship before class, applying Christian perspectives to academic subjects, and intentionally connecting faith and learning. Learn about spiritual life at Southern .

Ministry and Missions

What does Southern's Office of Ministry and Missions do for students?

Southern's Office of Ministry and Missions helps students develop their faith and connects them with faith communities, personal calling, and local or global opportunities to serve. Visit the Office of Ministry and Missions .

What are LifeGroups at Southern Adventist University?

LifeGroups are student-led small groups that meet for about one hour each week. Southern currently describes approximately 100 groups across six different types. Learn about LifeGroups .

Worship

What is Friday vespers like at Southern?

Southern describes Friday vespers as a weekly campus celebration that welcomes the Sabbath. Live streaming and archived services are also available. Explore spiritual life at Southern .

What is Engage Worship at Southern?

Engage Worship is a student-led ministry organized into four teams that leads worship and creates opportunities for fellowship and social connection. Learn about Engage Worship .

What mission and service opportunities can Southern students join?

Southern offers opportunities including local outreach, evangelistic and Vision Trips, and long-term student missions. Long-term mission placements may last from four to 24 months. Explore mission and service opportunities .

Campus Life

Housing

What undergraduate housing options are available at Southern?

Southern identifies Thatcher Hall as the women's residence hall, Talge Hall as the men's residence hall, and Southern Village as gender-separated four-student apartments for upperclassmen. Explore Residence Life .

Does Southern offer housing for graduate, older, or family students?

Yes. Southern offers non-traditional housing options for students age 23 and older, graduate students, and students with families. Eligibility requirements differ for single and family housing. View Southern housing information .

Dining

What dining options are available on Southern's campus?

Southern's campus dining options include the Dining Hall, CK2, and The Garden. The Dining Hall serves as the primary campus eatery and offers a variety of meal and grab-and-go choices. Explore Southern Food Services .

Visiting Southern

How can a prospective student visit Southern Adventist University?

Prospective students can register for an in-person campus visit, attend campus events, schedule a group visit, or explore Southern through a virtual visit. Schedule a visit to Southern .

Student Activities

What kinds of student activities does Southern organize?

Southern's Office of Student Life and Activities supports student organizations, Saturday-night programming, and The Weekender information service to help students connect with campus activities and community. Explore student activities .

Recreation

What recreation and outdoor activities are available at Southern?

Southern offers intramural sports, a wellness center with a pool and climbing wall, campus climbing and cave features, more than 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, and the Southern Outdoor Adventure Program. Explore recreation at Southern .

Accessibility and Student Support

What disability support does Southern provide?

Southern's Disability Support Services facilitates access for students with documented disabilities or suspected learning differences and provides an accommodation portal and campus accessibility map. Visit Disability Support Services .

Location and Directions

Where is Southern Adventist University, and how far is it from Chattanooga Airport?

Southern Adventist University is located at 4881 Taylor Circle in Collegedale, Tennessee. Southern's directions page states that Chattanooga Airport is approximately 12 miles from campus. View maps and directions .