The University of the South Acceptance Rate
Sewanee, Tennessee · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 5,018
- Admitted
- 2,554
- Yield
- 17.6%
- 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, The University of the South's acceptance rate has fallen from 64.7% in 2014–15 to 50.9% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 2,977 to 5,018 (+69%) over that period.
Its 50.9% rate makes The University of the South more selective than about 83% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 33 tracked Tennessee schools, it is more selective than about 85%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (56.6% for women vs 44.7% for men, a 11.9-point gap). The University of the South has been test-optional since 2019–20. Of admitted students, 17.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 2,977 | 1,926 | 64.7% | 466 |
| 2015–16 | 4,509 | 1,830 | 40.6% | 469 |
| 2016–17 | 4,423 | 1,930 | 43.6% | 514 |
| 2017–18 | 4,218 | 1,971 | 46.7% | 448 |
| 2018–19 | 3,465 | 2,258 | 65.2% | 477 |
| 2019–20 | 3,545 | 2,365 | 66.7% | 438 |
| 2020–21 | 4,191 | 2,350 | 56.1% | 490 |
| 2021–22 | 4,162 | 2,508 | 60.3% | 474 |
| 2022–23 | 4,578 | 2,395 | 52.3% | 416 |
| 2023–24 | 5,018 | 2,554 | 50.9% | 449 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,601 | 1,472 | 56.6% |
| Men | 2,365 | 1,057 | 44.7% |
| Another gender | 52 | 25 | 48.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 633–710 | 17% |
| SAT Math | 603–688 | |
| ACT Composite | 27–32 | 39% |
How The University of 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 The University of the South's acceptance rate?
The University of the South's acceptance rate is 50.9% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (2,554 admitted of 5,018 applicants).
Is The University of the South test optional?
The University of the South is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to The University of the South?
The University of the South received 5,018 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 2,554.
What SAT score do you need for The University of the South?
Admitted students at The University of the South typically scored 633–710 on SAT Reading/Writing and 603–688 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is The University of the South getting harder to get into?
The University of the South has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 64.7% in 2014–15 to 50.9% 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.sewanee.edu/.