Carson-Newman University Acceptance Rate
Jefferson City, Tennessee · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 2,991
- Admitted
- 2,042
- Yield
- 18%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate has risen from 62.4% in 2014–15 to 68.3% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 4,880 to 2,991 (-39%) over that period.
Its 68.3% rate makes Carson-Newman University more selective than about 65% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 33 tracked Tennessee schools, it is more selective than about 45%.
Carson-Newman University has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 18% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 4,880 | 3,045 | 62.4% | 491 |
| 2015–16 | 5,871 | 3,454 | 58.8% | 497 |
| 2016–17 | 6,496 | 4,111 | 63.3% | 505 |
| 2017–18 | 3,294 | 2,219 | 67.4% | 395 |
| 2018–19 | 3,736 | 2,467 | 66% | 483 |
| 2019–20 | 3,862 | 2,674 | 69.2% | 557 |
| 2020–21 | 3,022 | 2,397 | 79.3% | 383 |
| 2021–22 | 2,953 | 2,329 | 78.9% | 395 |
| 2022–23 | 2,928 | 2,336 | 79.8% | 301 |
| 2023–24 | 2,991 | 2,042 | 68.3% | 367 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 1,705 | 1,185 | 69.5% |
| Men | 1,286 | 857 | 66.6% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 480–570 | 10% |
| SAT Math | 460–560 | |
| ACT Composite | 19–25 | 72% |
How Carson compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate?
Carson-Newman University's acceptance rate is 68.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (2,042 admitted of 2,991 applicants).
Is Carson-Newman University test optional?
Carson-Newman University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Carson-Newman University?
Carson-Newman University received 2,991 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 2,042.
What SAT score do you need for Carson-Newman University?
Admitted students at Carson-Newman University typically scored 480–570 on SAT Reading/Writing and 460–560 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Carson-Newman University getting harder to get into?
Carson-Newman University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 62.4% in 2014–15 to 68.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.cn.edu/.