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Sewanee , TN
The University of the South, commonly known as Sewanee, is a highly esteemed liberal arts institution located in Sewanee, Tennessee. Established in 1857, it covers a sprawling 13,000-acre campus atop the Cumberland Plateau. The university is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, and its distinct educational approach is deeply rooted in the Anglican tradition. Sewanee offers a rigorous undergraduate curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a holistic approach to education.
At the heart of Sewanee's academic experience is its College of Arts and Sciences, which offers bachelor's degrees in over 40 majors, ranging from humanities and social sciences to natural and applied sciences. The university's dedication to small class sizes ensures that students receive personalized attention from faculty members, fostering a close-knit and supportive community. The Sewanee Pledge, a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2018, guarantees that eligible Tennessee students will receive full-tuition scholarships, significantly reducing the financial burden of attending this prestigious institution.
Beyond academics, Sewanee boasts a vibrant campus life, with more than 90 student-led clubs and organizations catering to a diverse range of interests. The university's strong emphasis on service and leadership is demonstrated through its robust community engagement programs, including a number of annual service events and partnerships with local nonprofits. Additionally, Sewanee's beautiful natural surroundings provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and recreational activities, making it an ideal environment for students to balance their studies with personal growth and wellbeing.
Located in Sewanee, TN and set in a rural environment, The University of the South is a private four-year college. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 56%. The freshman retention rate at The University of the South is 88.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 80%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is February 1. The transfer application deadline is June 1.
Here are some essential information on important things to consider about The University of the South.
Quick Facts
1,644
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$57,916
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
80%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Discover some relevant facts about admission at The University of the South.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,676 in 2025. The University of the South has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, The University of the South provides a superior educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 20% and ACT scores 43%. 20% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 61% between 1,200 and 1,399, 17% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 2% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 41, 43 between 24-29, 15 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 659 and an average SAT Math score of 632.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by February 1. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is June 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for The University of the South was 88.9%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 80%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 1,724 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 76. There was a total of 1,644 undergraduate students, including 57 international students. 20 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 782 male and 852 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 13, while the number of Afro-American students was 65. 88 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 48 as multirace. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about The University of the South estimated tuition costs.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $57,916 for all full-time domestic students. The University of the South is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $310.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $500.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at The University of the South was $16,628 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $8,616, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,616.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 57,916 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,628 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 500 |
| Total Expense | $ 75,044 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at The University of the South.
The most recent records show that 218 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $51,836.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 719 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at The University of the South is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 730. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $2,074,891, and state $1,138,386. The students of The University of the South received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $30,043,880, and external in the amount of $243,456.
$26,657
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 187 students overall (including freshmen) at The University of the South in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 60 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $23,040,040. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $541,701 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at The University of the South was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 234. Out of that number, there were 130 men and 104 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at The University of the South.
Its campus spans 13,000 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 83. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 52% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 65 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students is Sewanee Health Professions Society, followed by Forestry and Geology Club and Organization for Cross Cultural Understanding. Other popular student organizations at this school are Order of the Gown and Sewanee Outing Program.
For individuals with a penchant for acting, there is a drama club offering an opportunity to get involved. Interested in media and communication? The University of the South publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At The University of the South, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of The University of the South.
All in all, campus life at The University of the South is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at The University of the South.
Career Counselling
At The University of the South, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN.
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The University of the South offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 57,916 USD per academic year for The University of the South.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for The University of the South is 56%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for The University of the South is 88.9%.
Contact Information
The University of the South
735 University Avenue
Sewanee , TN
37383-1000
931 598-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.