Southwestern University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Southwestern University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

39.1%

Admission Difficulty for Southwestern University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Difficult
Applicant Competition		High

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SU is 39.1%. Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in Texas and the 166th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SU and can you get accepted?

SU is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,573 out of the 6,585 who applied were admitted.

Southwestern University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SU?

39% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Southwestern University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1260 on the SAT
Score 27 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

SU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.5

Typical High School Grades

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Southwestern University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SU are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to SU will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SU is 3.5 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #26 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Southwestern University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	10.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	23.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	19.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	20.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	16.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	11.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances

SU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Southwestern University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 40% of students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1170-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT

40%

SAT Scores for Southwestern University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	600
Math 25th Percentile	570
Composite 25th Percentile	1170

SAT Scores for Southwestern University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	690
Math 75th Percentile	650
Composite 75th Percentile	1340
Average SAT Score	1260

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Southwestern University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SU is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1340. Students who get into Southwestern University score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers.. SU ranks #12 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Southwestern University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1255, you have around a 39% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 55% chance of getting in.

Southwestern University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340 and Above	Good	>55%
1255 to 1340	Avg +	39%-55%
1170 to 1255	Avg -	25%-39%
1085 to 1170	Reach	15%-25%
Less than 1085	Low	<15%

Calculate My Chances

SU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

24-30

Applicants Submitting ACT

14%

ACT Scores for Southwestern University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	23
Math 25th Percentile	22
Composite 25th Percentile	24

ACT Scores for Southwestern University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	31
Math 75th Percentile	27
Composite 75th Percentile	30
Average ACT Score	27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SU is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 30. The school ranks #11 in Texas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

14 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Southwestern University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Southwestern University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 39% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 55% with a 30 ACT score.

Southwestern University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
30 and Above	Good	>55%
27 to 30	Avg +	39%-55%
24 to 27	Avg -	25%-39%
21 to 24	Reach	15%-25%
Less than 21	Low	<15%

Calculate My Chances

High School Class Rank

59% of Southwestern University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 28% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Southwestern University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	28%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	93%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Southwestern University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,610	2,975	6,585
Accepted	1,560	1,013	2,573
Acceptance Rate	43%	34%	39%
Enrolled	226	177	403
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	14%	17%	16%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Southwestern University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Southwestern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Southwestern University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Southwestern University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because SU is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.5 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1260 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1340 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.