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Colleges / Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate81%

Southern Adventist University Tuition Information

In 2018, tuition for full-time students at Southern Adventist University was $22,320 a year.

Tuition increased 1.18% in 2023–from $22,060 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Southern Adventist University meets 68% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Southern Adventist University is around $16,593 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $33,445 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Tennessee as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Tennessee colleges

Tuition for International Students at Southern Adventist University

Tuition at Southern Adventist University is the same for every student.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Southern Adventist University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Southern Adventist University.

Room and Board Costs at Southern Adventist University

Housing and campus dining at Southern Adventist University is $8,240 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Southern Adventist University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Southern Adventist University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is sometimes pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Southern Adventist University campus is in a town in Tennessee, not far from Chattanooga.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


Financial Breakdown for Southern Adventist University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Southern Adventist University.

Total Cost of Southern Adventist University

What will the cost of attending Southern Adventist University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $22,320
Room and Board $8,240
Other expenses $4,250

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $36,800
Off-Campus $28,560

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Southern Adventist University


In 2023, 1,458 of the 3,091 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Southern Adventist University meets 68% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,593 a year. Around 70% of Southern Adventist University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Southern Adventist University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $33,445 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $30,362
Southern Adventist University-Specific Loans $4,147
Private Loans $22,432
Most Common Loans for Southern Adventist University Students
Federal Loans 68%
Institutional Loans 4%
Private loans 11%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Southern Adventist University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Southern Adventist University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Southern Adventist University awarded 1,380 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $19.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $6.41 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Southern Adventist University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Southern Adventist University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Southern Adventist University was $16,593 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Southern Adventist University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $20,207
Off-Campus $11,967

What will attending Southern Adventist University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Southern Adventist University's net cost calculator on their website.

Southern Adventist University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Southern Adventist University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Southern Adventist University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Southern Adventist University's endowment was valued at $38.1 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.


Learn More About Southern Adventist University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others say about Southern Adventist University in the College Confidential forums

Southern Adventist University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$32,550

In State

$32,550

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$22,320
$22,320
Fees
$890
$890
Housing
$8,240
$8,240
Books
$1,100
$1,100

Southern Adventist University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

64%

Average Financial Aid Package

$16,298

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

3,477

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

81%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$23,210

Out-of-State

$23,210

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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