Southern Utah University maintains open access admission standards with an 80.5% acceptance rate, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally for accessibility. This admission rate reflects the institution's commitment to broad educational access, accepting four out of five applicants and providing opportunities for students across diverse academic backgrounds. The open access designation indicates admission rates above 75%, positioning Southern Utah University as highly accessible compared to the peer median admission rate of 84.7%. Despite this accessibility, the institution attracts students with strong academic preparation, as evidenced by ACT scores that rank at the 91st percentile nationally. This combination of accessible admission standards and competitive test scores suggests Southern Utah University successfully balances broad access with academic quality. The 4.2 percentage point difference in admission rates compared to peers indicates slightly more selective admission than typical open access institutions while maintaining substantial accessibility for prospective students seeking higher education opportunities.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
These metrics reflect institutional priorities around access and economic diversity, which inform admissions decisions beyond academic qualifications.
Students not admitted to Southern Utah University might consider Eastern Washington University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of South Dakota, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, or The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga as alternatives with similar institutional profiles and student outcomes.
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
High retention and graduation rates, especially for Pell students, indicate strong institutional support beyond just admitting diverse students.
Similar quality tier (#10786 ranked)
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Stronger graduate earnings at comparable price points.
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
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