Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, Tennessee · Private · 1,387 undergraduates · cn.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
90%
of applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
955 to 1215
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$63,200Est.Estimate
before aid
Your chances and merit aid at Carson-Newman University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
90% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$63,200
a year in 2027-28, from a $63,200 sticker price
What to do with your 1090
Send your score
Your SAT is at or above the median of freshmen who sent scores (1090).
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
- CLT accepted (catalog lists minimum 21 ACT, 1060 SAT, or 67 CLT as an alternative to a 2.50 GPA)
Source: Freshman Admissions | Carson-Newman University · Checked October 17, 2026
Application deadlines
- May1Priority deadline · May 1, 2027Apply by this date for the best chance at admission and scholarships.
Who gets in
90%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
SAT total 955 to 1215
Reading and Writing 500 to 645
Math 455 to 570
ACT composite 19 to 25
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$63,200
a year
- Tuition$44,200
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24, by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$16,616
- $30,001 to $48,000$13,641
- $48,001 to $75,000$14,977
- $75,001 to $110,000$16,544
- Over $110,000$25,931
Financial aidEstimate
79%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
100%
of freshmen receive grants
$28,090
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Tennessee programs for residents
Ned McWherter Scholars Program
$6,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.75+ GPA, 1430+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Competitive merit award; application with transcript through first semester of senior year and official ACT/SAT; competitive, limited funding
Aspire Award
State program · In-state students
Up to $750/semester (4-year) or up to $250/semester (2-year) in addition to HOPE
- 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, Need-based HOPE supplement; meet HOPE requirements and parents' (or independent student's and spouse's) AGI of $36,000 or less
General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)
State program · In-state students
Up to $500/semester in addition to HOPE (including summer)
- 3.75+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, HOPE supplement (TN public or category 1-3 private HS graduates); must meet HOPE Scholarship requirements; FAFSA, from Tennessee
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
State program · In-state students
4-year (and 2-year with housing): up to $2,250/semester freshman & sophomore, up to $2,850/semester junior & senior; 2-year: up to $1,600/semester
- 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, HOPE Scholarship (entering freshmen); enroll within 16 months of HS graduation; FAFSA
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
24 of 24
Earn credit with a score of 3
5 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $4,420Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 4 | 3 | BIOL 101 |
| Calculus AB | 4 | 3 | Mathematics 151 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 6 | Mathematics 151 and 152 |
| Chemistry | 4 | 6 | Chemistry 103 and 104 * Must serve as lab assistant for CHEM 103L & 104L |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSC GER |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | Computer Science 107 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSC 210 |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 3 | English 101 |
| Environmental Science | 4 | 3 | Biology 102 |
| European History | 4 | 3 | History 334 |
| Human Geography | 4 | 3 | GEOG ELEC |
| Macroeconomics | 4 | 3 | Economics 220 |
| Microeconomics | 4 | 3 | Economics 210 |
| Music Theory | 4 | 3 | Music111 |
| Music Theory | 5 | 6 | Music111 and 112 |
| Physics 1 | 4 | 4 | Physics 103 |
| Physics 2 | 4 | 4 | Physics 104 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | 4 | Physics 202 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 4 | Physics 201 |
| Psychology | 4 | 3 | Psychology 101 or 102 *Consult with Program Chair |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | Span 123 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | SPAN 123 & 201 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 6 | SPAN 201 & 202 |
| Statistics | 4 | 3 | Mathematics 201 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSC 102 |
| United States History | 4 | 3 | History 201 |
| United States History | 5 | 6 | History 201 and 202 |
| World History: Modern | 4 | 3 | History 133 |
| World History: Modern | 5 | 6 | History 133 and 134 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
54%
Come back for a second year
74%
Typical earnings
$51,756
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Carson-Newman University$65,981
- All colleges$71,390
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 12 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Carson-Newman University. The Carson-Newman University logo is a trademark of the college.