Southern Adventist University

www.southern.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$26,000

6.78% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$25,753

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

65.5%

2,907 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

3,229

79.3% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

54.9%

219 Graduates

About

Southern Adventist University is a higher education institution located in Hamilton County, TN. In 2024, the most popular Associates Degree concentrations at Southern Adventist University were Registered Nursing (104 degrees awarded), Physical Therapy (7 degrees), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (6 degrees).

In 2024, 660 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Southern Adventist University. 61.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 38.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (305 degrees), 2.01 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (152 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Southern Adventist University is $26,000, which is $2,000 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Southern Adventist University is $26,000, which is $2,000 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $25,753.

In 2024, 90% of undergraduate students attending Southern Adventist University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 42% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$26,000

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southern Adventist University was $26,000. The cost of tuition at Southern Adventist University is $2,000 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Southern Adventist University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$25,753

2024 Value

1.49%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Southern Adventist University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $25,753. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Southern Adventist University grew by 1.49%.

This chart compares the average net price of Southern Adventist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$8,855

Room and Board

$1,100

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Southern Adventist University was of $8,855 in 2024. The cost of room and board decreased by 3.54% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,100. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Southern Adventist University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

90%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

42%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

90% of undergraduate students at Southern Adventist University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 90% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Southern Adventist University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Southern Adventist University received 2,907 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 6.44% annual growth. Out of those 2,907 applicants, 1,904 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 65.5% acceptance rate.

There were 3,229 students enrolled at Southern Adventist University in 2024. 46% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Southern Adventist University has an overall enrollment yield of 36.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

65.5%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

1,904

Accepted Out of 2,907

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Southern Adventist University was 65.5% (1,904 admissions from 2,907 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 66.6%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 6.44%, while admissions grew by 4.67%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Southern Adventist University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

46%

Submission Percentage (2024)

321

Scores Submitted (2024)

46% of enrolled first-time students at Southern Adventist University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Southern Adventist University had a total enrollment of 3,229 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Southern Adventist University is 2,561 students and the part-time enrollment is 668. This means that 79.3% of students enrolled at Southern Adventist University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Southern Adventist University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 38.6% White, 25.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 6.69% Black or African American, 6.32% Two or More Races, 0.0929% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0619% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Southern Adventist University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (19.6%), followed by White Male (17.6%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (14.6%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (43.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (15%) and White Male (10.2%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

79.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Southern Adventist University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 3,229 students. The full-time enrollment at Southern Adventist University is 2,561 and the part-time enrollment is 668. This means that 79.3% of students enrolled at Southern Adventist University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Southern Adventist University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

83%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Southern Adventist University was 83%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Southern Adventist University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Southern Adventist University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,247 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
814 enrolled students
Asian
413 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Southern Adventist University is 38.6% White, 25.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 6.69% Black or African American, 6.32% Two or More Races, 0.0929% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0619% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 99 students (3.07%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 150 more women than men received degrees from Southern Adventist University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Southern Adventist University is white (305 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (152 degrees).

The most common Associates Degree concentration at Southern Adventist University is Registered Nursing (104 degrees awarded), followed by Physical Therapy (7 degrees) and Liberal Arts & Sciences (6 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Southern Adventist University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Theology (29 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (33 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Registered nurses

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Adventist University are Registered nurses (1,596,128 people), Physicians (526,805 people), Other managers (243,793 people), Medical & health services managers (228,408 people), and Pharmacists (206,197 people).

The most specialized majors at Southern Adventist University in 2024 are Theology (29 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (33 degrees), Biology (57 degrees), and Health (241 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Adventist University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers, and Gaming services workers

The most specialized majors at Southern Adventist University are Theology (29 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (27 degrees), Public Administration and Social Service (33 degrees), Biology (57 degrees), and Health (241 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Southern Adventist University are General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (2,188,528 people), Elementary & secondary schools (579,599 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (482,713 people), Outpatient care centers (463,661 people), and Offices of physicians (406,631 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Southern Adventist University.

Most Common (2024)

Registered Nursing
104 degrees awarded
Physical Therapy
7 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
6 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Southern Adventist University was Registered Nursing with 104 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Southern Adventist University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

255

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

405

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 255 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Adventist University, which is 0.63 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (405).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Southern Adventist University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 46 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Adventist University in Registered Nursing, which is 0.341 times less than the 135 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 135 degrees were awarded to men at Southern Adventist University in Registered Nursing, which is 2.93 times more than the 46 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

36%

100% Completion Time

62%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 36% of students graduating from Southern Adventist University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 62% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 63% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
305 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
152 degrees awarded
Asian
73 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Southern Adventist University is white (305 degrees awarded). There were 2.01 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (152 degrees).

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
294 degrees awarded
White Female
269 degrees awarded
White Female
267 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Southern Adventist University is white female (294 degrees awarded). There were 1.09 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (269 degrees).

Operations

Southern Adventist University has an endowment valued at nearly $64.7M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 9.65M (14.9%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Southern Adventist University had a total salary expenditure of 87.9M. Southern Adventist University employs 54 Professors, 53 Associate professors and 32 Assistant professors. Most academics at Southern Adventist University are Male Professor (33), Female Associate professor (31), and Male Associate professor (22).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Adventist University are: Management, with 85 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 82 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 54 employees.

Endowment

$64.7M

2024 Endowment

12.2%

growth from 2023

Southern Adventist University has an endowment valued at about $64.7M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Southern Adventist University grew 12.2% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $18.9M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Southern Adventist University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$36.8M

2024 Salaries

20.5%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Southern Adventist University paid a median of $36.8M in salaries, which represents 41.8% of their overall expenditure ($87.9M) and a 20.5% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.5% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 2.5% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$10M

Instructional Salaries

142

Number of Employees

In 2024, Southern Adventist University paid a total of $10M to 142 employees working as instructors, which represents 27.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Southern Adventist University were Management with 85 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 82 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 54 employees.

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