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Carson-Newman University acceptance rate & admissions

Carson-Newman University admits 90% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 2,042 of 2,991 applicants were admitted and 367 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 955–1215 on the SAT or 19–25 on the ACT.

Check your chances at Carson-Newman University → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
90%

More selective than 15% of Tennessee colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

10% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 72% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
18%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Carson-Newman University over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied2,991
Admitted2,042
Enrolled367

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

Carson-Newman University SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Carson-Newman University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing500645
SAT math455570
ACT composite1925
SAT total (approx.)9551215

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

Carson-Newman University admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202490%500–645455–57019–25College Scorecard
Fall 202368%480–570460–56019–25IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is Carson-Newman University compared with other Tennessee colleges?

Carson-Newman University has the 30th-lowest acceptance rate of 34 Tennessee colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
26East Tennessee State University86%53%$15,983
27Christian Brothers University87%55%$9,854
28The University of Tennessee Southern87%37%$12,798
29The University of Tennessee-Martin88%53%$10,701
30Carson-Newman University90%53%$20,251
31Belmont University95%71%$33,147
32Austin Peay State University96%40%$9,735
33Le Moyne-Owen College99%27%$7,099
34King University100%48%$22,347

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Tennessee colleges →

Who enrolls at Carson-Newman University

First-year students who return for year two74%
First-year students from Tennessee72%
Pell Grant recipients33%
First-generation students35%
Women / men51% / 49%
International students6%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

Carson-Newman University admissions questions

What is the Carson-Newman University acceptance rate?

Carson-Newman University accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,042 of 2,991 applicants were admitted.

Does Carson-Newman University require the SAT or ACT?

Carson-Newman University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 10% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 72% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for Carson-Newman University?

The middle 50% of Carson-Newman University enrolled first-year students scored 955–1215 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at Carson-Newman University?

18% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (367 of 2,042).

Is Carson-Newman University getting harder to get into?

Carson-Newman University accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 68% for Fall 2023.

Is Carson-Newman University the right fit for your family?

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Carson-Newman University overview