About Sewanee-The University of the South

Founded in 1857, Sewanee-The University of the South. is a Private college. Located in Tennessee, which is a city setting in Tennessee, the campus itself is Rural. The campus is home to 1,731 full time undergraduate students, and 84 full time graduate students.

The Sewanee-The University of the South Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 174 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Sewanee-The University of the South include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate43%
Application Deadline15-Nov
Application Fee0
SAT Range
ACT Range

Admissions at are considered More Selective, with ,11% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 12 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

93% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 65% were in the top quarter, and 34% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Sewanee-The University of the South.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
22%
“We know about current events and vote”
78%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
33%
“All the time, including weekends”
11%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
89%
“I feel extremely safe”
56%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
44%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
78%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
78%
“They keep regular office hours”
22%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
38%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
50%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
11%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
22%
“We only party on weekends”
67%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
11%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
56%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
11%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
22%
“We know about current events and vote”
78%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
11%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
33%
“All the time, including weekends”
11%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
0%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
89%
“I feel extremely safe”
56%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
44%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
22%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
78%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
78%
“They keep regular office hours”
22%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
38%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
50%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
11%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
22%
“We only party on weekends”
67%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
11%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
56%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
11%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Sewanee-The University of the South REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    31 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    25 Students rated off-campus housing 1.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    32 Students rated campus food 3.5 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    32 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    32 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 63 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    32 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 34 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    31 Students rated local services 3.1 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    32 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Sewanee-The University of the South?

12 Students rated Sewanee-The University of the South

John - 04/18/2023

Amazing school. Amazing community of people. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Besides the architecture, which is gorgeous, the academic setting is beyond amazing. It seems like professors know you personally because of class sizes. People in your major are like your family, with you becoming a tight knit family as time goes on. All around it’s an amazing school.

R

Sewanee is academically amazing. However, it is an extremely toxic environment. Expect to know of, and be expected to ignore, multiple unprosecuted or unpunished rapists before you graduate. If you’re unlucky enough to be assaulted, expect incompetent assistance from the wellness center — if you can get off the waiting list.

Mo

Sewanee is an amazing school, It very academic and rigorous. However it is on top of a mountain so shops and store are limited, there are some things to do besides party but not a ton. There is always something party wise happening but it doesn't mean that you have to partake in drinking or drugs.

Emily

Sewanee- The University of the South has a breath taking view which is settled upon a mountain in a sucluded setting. They have a wonderful buffet for the students. The faculity to students is 13-1 so very small classes. The only draw back to this campus is no stores close if you need anything.

Sewanee-The University of the South FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Sewanee-The University of the South?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Sewanee-The University of the South is 43%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell a student to go with their gut. Visit a school as many times as you need to figure out where you fit best. Trust that everything will all work out. Once you are attending a college make the most of it. Explore extracurricular activities and take advantage of all your college has to offer. Sign up for clubs and make friends. Don't just focus on grades, those are important, but so is having a true college experience.

    Read all  31 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    As culturally open as it is, it still is not as open as it should be.

    Read all  10 answers
  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    School that balances schoolwork with having fun without sacrificing the true values of education, friendship, and motivation associated with all liberal arts colleges.

    Read all  6 answers
  5. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Sewanee is best known for its beautiful campus and weekend fraternities and sororities' parties.

    Read all  6 answers
  6. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    lack of diversity and tolerance of others.

    Read all  6 answers
  7. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are wonderful people who I interact with on a daily basis. We all have a great time and can pick each other up if the need arises. Since I am atheater major, I have a lot of demonstrative classmates, and it is interesting to see each students' personality evolve through the year.

    Read all  4 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Sewanee has unique traditions, truly caring professors, beauitful gothic arcitecture, and thought provoking classroom experinces. It is situated on the Cumberland plateau in Southeastern Tennessee on 12,00 acres. No other school would have allowed me to have the opportunities to get involved that Sewanee has: outing program to borrow hiking, repelling, caving equipment; study aborad programs, volunteer organizations, encouragement to start my own community groups, shape school policies, join a Greek organization, play varsity, club and intramural sports. The University of the South is an undiscovered gem.

    Read all  4 answers
  9. What's unique about your campus?

    everything

    Read all  4 answers
  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had understood how many students follow the "work hard, play hard philosophy." I was never pressured to party or drink and did not spend my high school years doing such activities. It definitley shocked me at first, but no one really cared if I was drinking water or beer. Also, iIwas hesitant at first about applying because the school is very unique and strange on paper. The visit made all of the difference for me. The University of the South is definitely a school you need to experience to truly understand the feeling of the place.

    Read all  4 answers
  11. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People who love big cities and do not enjoy being in a rural town would not enjoy Sewanee. Those who do not like doing outdoor activities would probably also not enjoy the extra curricular activities that Sewanee has to offer. If shopping and stores are important to a person, Sewanee would not be the place to attend college.

    Read all  4 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Over my two and a half years at Sewanee I have enjoyed and bragged about a great many things to past friends and family, some being it's fantastic social life, the teacher and students relationships, and the people I have met and have grown to know. But the thing I brag about most is the natural beauty Sewanee has to offer. Both on and off campus I have been amazed by the natural beauty Sewanee has been able to maintain. The school has done an amazing job working with the surrounding envrionment to keep it clean and prestine.

    Read all  4 answers
  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person desiring a small, liberal arts college campus should take a look at Sewanee. A person who does not mind being away from the main artery of a city, and appreciates natural beauty should take a look at Sewanee as it is secluded on its' own mountain. While definitely not a requirement (because I'm not one) someone who enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, rafting would most certainly enjoy what Sewanee has to offer.

    Read all  3 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    I think Sewanee brings out the best in people. The students administer a 100-year-old honor system. Many of them work in 20 community service groups. The University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, welcomes all faith traditions, and encourages discussion of ethical questions in class. Sewanee classes are small, so that there is close contact with faculty—and plenty of faculty support. Class discussions at Sewanee benefit from a tradition of active student participation. Sewanee’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious undergraduate academic honor society, was founded more than 8- years ago. Sewanee has sent 25 Rhodes Scholars to Oxford—a record exceeded by only 15 other institutions. About 55 percent of Sewanee graduates go on to earn advanced degrees.

    Read all  1 answers
  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I am an alumnus of Sewanee and serve on the Board of Trustees as an alumni representative. I loved my time at Sewanee and feel it prepared me well for the rest of my life. I go back often, which is a great source of pleasure to me. At Sewanee there is an emphasis on learning to write well, in the environment that is home to the Sewanee Review, the nation’s oldest continuously published literary quarterly. Almost half of the students study or travel abroad and return to share their experiences on campus.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

53%

female

47%

male

1,731

Total Undergrad Enrollment

84

Total Grad Students

79%

Out-Of-State

17%

In-State

4%

International

Organizations

100

Student Organizations

12

Fraternities

9

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

92%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
82%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

85% of students attending Sewanee-The University of the South receive some sort of financial aid. 15% were awarded federal grants. While 35% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$38,816

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$12,100

Room and Board

52,116

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$13,203
$30 - $48K
$15,875
$48 - $75K
$20,042
$75 - $110K
$25,533
$110K & UP
$35,101

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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