The University of the South
At a Glance
The University of the South is a small private nonprofit university in Sewanee, TN. Approximately 1,607 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 57% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Woods Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 50 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Sewanee, TN
Campus Identity
The University of the South is a small private nonprofit university in Sewanee, TN. Approximately 1,607 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 57% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Woods Reservoir, just 8 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 50 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 38/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@univofthesouth
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Campus Lifestyle
The University of the South is a 1,000–4,999, rural school with NCAA D3 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 50 miles from Cloudmont Ski.
Athletics
NCAA D3
Southern Athletic Association
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Rural setting
Weather
Warm Climate
52°F avg school-year
Greek Life at The University of the South
At The University of the South, 52% of men are in a fraternity and 65% of women are in a sorority. That is among the highest participation in the country, and Greek life sets the social calendar for a large share of campus. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
52%
Men in fraternities
65%
Women in sororities
Greek Life Dominant
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
The University of the South students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Cloudmont Ski, 50 miles away. All are within 161 miles of campus.
Alabama
Tennessee
North Carolina
Lake Life Campus
Woods Reservoir is 8 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving The University of the South students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Woods Reservoir
Lake access within 8.3 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Sewanee, TN
Sewanee has a mild climate, with winters averaging 37°F in Jan and summers peaking around 75°F in Jul.
Station: SEWANEE · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
The University of the South in TN earns a composite safety score of 38/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $56,120 |
| Fees | $272 |
| Room & Board | $16,028 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $72,420 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
40 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The University of the South located?
The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN. The main campus address is 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at The University of the South?
The University of the South has an acceptance rate of 57%, making it moderately selective. Out of 4,703 applicants, 2,676 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,607 enrolled.
How many students attend The University of the South?
The University of the South enrolls 1,607 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for The University of the South?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at The University of the South scored between 27 and 31 on the ACT, with a median of 29. About 37% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend The University of the South?
For the 2024-25 academic year, The University of the South charges $56,120/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,028/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $49,418/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $27,872/year — what students actually pay. Use The University of the South's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What NCAA division is The University of the South in?
The University of the South competes in NCAA Division III, part of the Southern Athletic Association. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.
What percentage of students at The University of the South are in Greek life?
At The University of the South, 52% of men are in a fraternity and 65% of women are in a sorority. That is among the highest participation in the country, and Greek life shapes the social calendar for much of campus. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is The University of the South the right fit for me?
Whether The University of the South is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (57% admit rate), avg net price ($27,872/year after aid), campus culture in Sewanee, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh The University of the South against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with The University of the South directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Sewanee, TN
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Southern Athletic Association
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 52°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 38/100
- Nearest Airport
- Chattanooga, TN (CHA) · 42 mialso HUA (57 mi), HSV (62 mi)