Southern Adventist University campus
Southern Adventist University logo

Southern Adventist University

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 1,600
Religious affiliation Protestant
Student to faculty ratio 13 to 1
Acceptance rate 74%
Students retention rate 82%
On-time graduation rate 48%

Located in Collegedale, Tennessee, Southern Adventist University is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

Southern Adventist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, Southern Adventist University emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at Southern Adventist University is reported to be 48%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Tennessee state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 52% whereas the national average was 58%.

Southern Adventist University boasts an impressive student retention rate of 82% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 70% and 74%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

74.4%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,210

Cost of attendance at Southern Adventist University in 2022 for students from Tennessee.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $9,811
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$23,210

Cost of attendance at Southern Adventist University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Tennessee's average $20,464
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 99 of freshman students at Southern Adventist University received on average $13,511 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$13,511
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 169 35% $5,191 $877,281
Other Federal Grant 405 83% $3,219 $1,303,756
State Grant/Scholarships 89 18% $5,138 $457,264
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 483 99% $9,865 $4,765,014
Total Grant & Scholarships 483 99% $13,511 $6,526,034

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Southern Adventist University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Southern Adventist University students is 47.7%. Female students graduated at a rate of 50.0%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 44.7%.

47.7%

  • asian 47.2% 25 students
  • African American 40.3% 27 students
  • white 51.0% 127 students
  • hispanic 43.1% 47 students
  • International Students 52.4% 11 students
  • Mixed Race 56.2% 18 students

Service Offerings

Southern Adventist University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Southern Adventist University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)