Southern Adventist University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Southern Adventist University
Set against wooded ridges near Chattanooga, Southern Adventist University offers a faith-informed liberal arts core with strengths in science, health, business, education, and the creative disciplines. Classes are known for close faculty attention and hands-on work in labs and studios, with service-learning that connects ideas to the community.
Students tap a modern library, tutoring, advising, counseling, and a well-used fitness center. Life here skews active and outdoorsy, with clubs, music and media, intramurals, and nearby trails for hiking and biking. The culture is intentionally Christian, community minded, and typically substance-free. And career prep leans practical through internships and field experiences in the Chattanooga area, while Collegedale's small-town calm and the campus hillside trail tradition give the place a grounded rhythm.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Southern Adventist University offers 81 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 660 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (12 programs, 241 graduates), Business (9 programs, 74 graduates), Biological Sciences (4 programs, 57 graduates), Psychology (4 programs, 44 graduates) and Arts (7 programs, 34 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (12 programs, 241 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 181 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 18 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.3805 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 11 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.3810 |
| Physical Therapy | 8 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.2308 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Dental Hygiene | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0602 |
| Nursing Administration | 3 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3802 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 3 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3814 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0203 |
| Health Administration and Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
| Adult Health Nursing | 1 |
|
Master's
|
51.3803 |
Business (9 programs, 74 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 9 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
52.0301 |
| Management Science | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Construction Management | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.2001 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1801 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 1 |
|
Master's
|
52.0701 |
| Management Information Systems | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 57 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Sciences | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0102 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 15 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Biophysics | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0203 |
Psychology (4 programs, 44 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychology | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
42.2801 |
| General Psychology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| School Psychology | 5 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2706 |
Arts (7 programs, 34 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film Production | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0602 |
| Graphic Design | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Art Studies | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Photography | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 2 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
50.0402 |
| Music Performance | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
Public Services (1 programs, 33 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 33 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
Education (8 programs, 29 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 6 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 4 |
|
Master's
|
13.0404 |
| Education, General | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.9999 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development in Specific Subject Areas | 2 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
13.1399 |
| Music Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1314 |
| History Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1328 |
Theology (5 programs, 29 graduates)
Theological Studies, Ministry Preparation and Religious Leadership
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theological Studies | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39.0601 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 5 |
|
Master's
|
39.0699 |
| Pastoral Counseling | 5 |
|
Master's
|
39.0701 |
| Biblical Studies | 3 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
39.0201 |
| Religious Education | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
39.0401 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 27 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0504 |
Communication (7 programs, 17 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Image Management | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
| Journalism | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0499 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0402 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
| Journalism | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Advertising | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0903 |
| Public Relations and Advertising | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0999 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Southern Adventist University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Southern Adventist University
How much does it cost to attend Southern Adventist University?
The annual tuition at Southern Adventist University is $25,590 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $39,500 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,460 (on) / $9,250 (off) and books and supplies $1,100.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Southern Adventist University offer?
Southern Adventist University offers 81 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (12 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (4 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (4 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (7 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Southern Adventist University?
Southern Adventist University has an 66.6% acceptance rate and a 41.7% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 2,731
- Students admitted: 1,819
- Students enrolled: 758
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Southern Adventist University?
Southern Adventist University provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $12,495 and average loans of $7,788.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,325
- State/Local grants: $5,811
- Institutional grants: $9,922
- Federal loans: $6,748
The university supports 616 students with grants and 277 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Southern Adventist University graduates?
Southern Adventist University graduates earn a median salary of $44,818 after 6 years and $53,723 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $33,870 (25th percentile) to $85,229 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.