Southern University at New Orleans SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026
SAT middle 50 percent
820 to 1050
Half of enrolled students at Southern University at New Orleans scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1050, and one quarter below 820.
- Average composite
- 944
- Acceptance rate
- 78.9%
- ACT range
- 15 to 20
- Test policy
- Test optional
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Undergraduates
- 1,055
Southern University at New Orleans SAT Scores and Admissions
Southern University at New Orleans SAT scores break down into a Reading and Writing middle 50 of 410 to 540 and a Math middle 50 of 410 to 510. Put together, the full SAT middle 50 runs from 820 to 1050, and the average score sits at 944. That means half of admitted students land inside that 820 to 1050 window, a quarter come in below 820, and a quarter score above 1050. The two sections start at the same floor of 410, but Reading and Writing stretches 30 points higher at the top end.
Admission here is open in feel. The acceptance rate is 78.9%, so close to 4 out of 5 applicants get in. This is a public university in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it is small: total enrollment is about 1,055 students. A school this size and this open tends to weigh your whole file rather than lean hard on one test number. The ACT middle 50 sits at 15 to 20 for students who send that exam instead. In the most recent federal data the testing policy is optional, so you can decide whether an SAT or ACT score helps your case before you submit it.
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Southern University at New Orleans SAT Score Breakdown by Section
Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at Southern University at New Orleans, from the federal College Scorecard.
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 410 | 540 |
| Math | 410 | 510 |
| CompositeTotal SAT | 820 | 1050 |
The College Board reports section percentiles, not section averages, so an average is shown for the composite only.
Where this sits on the 400 to 1600 scale
820 to 1050
Southern University at New Orleans Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?
Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into Southern University at New Orleans, measured against real enrolled student data instead of a made up percentage.
No SAT score yet? Take the diagnostic and get a real number in about 25 minutes.
How this calculator works: your SAT is compared with Southern University at New Orleans's reported middle 50 percent range from the federal College Scorecard, your GPA is compared with the range admitted students at similarly selective schools typically present, and both are weighed against the school's real acceptance rate. We do not print a made up percent chance. No calculator can see your essays, your course rigor, or your recommendations, and at selective schools those decide close calls. Treat this as an honest read of your academic position, not a prediction.
Chances of Getting Into Southern University at New Orleans by SAT Score
Here is what specific scores mean at Southern University at New Orleans, based on its reported 820 to 1050 middle 50 percent range. Find the row closest to your score, or use the calculator above for a read on your exact numbers. No made up percentages: each verdict is your real position in the enrolled class.
| SAT score | Where it lands | The honest read |
|---|---|---|
| 670 | Well below the 25th percentile | A 670 is well below the 820 to 1050 range at Southern University at New Orleans. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority. |
| 770 | Just below the 25th percentile | A 770 falls just short of Southern University at New Orleans's 25th percentile of 820. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application. |
| 940 | Inside the middle 50 percent | A 940 sits inside the 820 to 1050 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here. |
| 1050 | At the 75th percentile | A 1050 matches the 75th percentile at Southern University at New Orleans, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level. |
| 1080 | Above the 75th percentile | A 1080 beats the 75th percentile at Southern University at New Orleans. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking. |
How to Raise Your SAT Score to Southern University at New Orleans's Range
The two targets that matter here are 820, the score that puts you inside the admitted range, and 1050, the score that puts you in the top quarter. Here is the size of the jump from common starting points, with the step by step plan for each one.
| Starting score | To reach 820 | To reach 1050 | The plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Already there | +50 points | 1000 to 1100 plan |
Not sure where you stand today? The diagnostic gives you a real starting score and a section breakdown in one sitting, so the gap you plan around is your actual gap.
What SAT Score Do You Need for Southern University at New Orleans?
Here is how to read your score against the numbers. An 820 sits at the 25th percentile and a 1050 sits at the 75th, with 944 as the average. Score below 820 and you are in the bottom quarter of admitted students, which is not out of reach at a school that takes 78.9% of applicants, but it does put more weight on your grades. Land between 820 and 1050 and you are right in the middle of the pack, matched to the typical admit. Clear 1050 and you are in the top quarter.
The section splits tell you where to aim. Reading and Writing runs 410 to 540, while Math runs 410 to 510. Both start at 410, so neither section lets you off the hook at the low end. But the higher bar sits on the Reading and Writing side, where the 75th percentile reaches 540 against Math at 510. If you want to push into the top quarter overall, gains on the verbal side move the needle the most.
Southern University at New Orleans GPA Requirements
Admitted students at Southern University at New Orleans typically present an unweighted GPA somewhere around 3.0 to 3.5. Treat that as a working band, not a cutoff. With an acceptance rate near 78.9%, grades in that range keep you well inside the pool that gets in.
The number on your transcript is only part of the read. Grades earned in harder classes count as much as the grade point average itself, so a B in a rigorous course can carry more weight than an easy A. If your GPA sits at the lower edge of that 3.0 to 3.5 band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A score up near the top of the 820 to 1050 range gives an admissions reader a clear second data point and takes some pressure off the transcript. Keep taking real courses, keep the grades steady, and let a good test score fill the gap where it exists.
Typical admitted GPA
Admitted students at Southern University at New Orleans typically present a GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Steady grades in a reasonable course load are usually enough on the GPA side of the application.
If your GPA sits at or below this range, a strong SAT score is the fastest way to stay competitive, since grades are hard to move late in high school. See where your SAT score really stands and build the plan around the gap.
These are unweighted grades on a 4.0 scale. A school that weights GPA or reports a different scale will show a higher number.
Southern University at New Orleans SAT Testing Policy
Southern University at New Orleans considered scores without requiring them (test optional) in the most recent federal data. Testing policies change year to year, so confirm the current 2026-2027policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit scores.
Should you submit your score?
Submit your score when it is at or above 935, the middle of Southern University at New Orleans's range. If you are below 820, the 25th percentile, consider holding your score and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.
Last verified July 15, 2026
Should You Submit Your SAT Score to Southern University at New Orleans?
Southern University at New Orleans was test optional in the most recent federal data, which turns your score into a strategic choice. The folk theory that applying without scores signals weakness is overstated, but the math of what helps is simple: a score that lands inside or above the admitted range works for you, and a score well below it does not.
940+
Submit
At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.
820 to 940
Lean submit
Inside the range, most counselors say send it: you are within the profile of enrolled students, and holding it back leaves the reader guessing.
Below 820
Usually hold it
Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at Southern University at New Orleans. Apply without it, or better, close the gap first. Scores can still matter for merit scholarships elsewhere on your list.
Policy as reported for the 2024-2025 cycle. We verified it against Southern University at New Orleans's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.
Southern University at New Orleans ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?
The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at Southern University at New Orleans scored between 15 and 20 on the ACT, alongside the 820 to 1050 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, Southern University at New Orleans states no preference between the two tests. The right move is to take whichever test converts higher for you, using the official concordance below, and send that one.
| ACT composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 20 | 1030 to 1050 |
| 19 | 990 to 1020 |
| 18 | 960 to 980 |
| 17 | 920 to 950 |
| 16 | 880 to 910 |
SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside Southern University at New Orleans's ACT middle 50 percent.
How to Get Into Southern University at New Orleans
Set your targets off the real percentiles. A total around 820 or higher keeps you inside the middle 50 and in range with typical admits. Push to 1050 or above and you land in the top quarter of the class. For a comfortable midpoint, aim near the 944 average. On the sections, treat 410 as your floor for both, then chase 540 in Reading and Writing and 510 in Math to reach the 75th percentile line.
Break that into section goals and build backward from your current level. Our score plans turn a target like 1050 into weekly Reading, Writing, and Math work so you know what to study and when. If you are not sure where you stand today, start with a diagnostic to see your section scores against these bands, then set a goal that clears 820 and reaches toward 1050. Your next step: pick a target score, run the diagnostic, and lock in a plan.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Southern University at New Orleans?
Southern University at New Orleans admits about 789 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 1,055. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 211 of every 1,000 people who apply, the students who get in cluster at the top of every measurable scale.
For perspective against the country as a whole: Southern University at New Orleans's 25th percentile score of 820 already beats roughly 11% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1050 sits around the 49th percentile. A score that feels middling on this page is an excellent score almost anywhere else, which is worth remembering when you build the rest of your list.
Colleges Similar to Southern University at New Orleans: Reach, Match, and Safety Options
Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside Southern University at New Orleans, ordered by acceptance rate. Odds are compared on acceptance rate first, because a school with a lower SAT average can still be far harder to get into.
| School | SAT middle 50 percent | Acceptance rate | Odds vs Southern University at New Orleans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern University at New Orleans | 820 to 1050 | 78.9% | This page |
| Southern University and A&M | 790 to 1020 | 35.1% | Harder to get into than Southern University at New OrleansSAT about 30 lower |
| Alcorn State | 670 to 998 | 45.3% | Harder to get into than Southern University at New OrleansSAT about 101 lower |
| Puerto Rico Carolina | 809 to 1057 | 54.5% | Harder to get into than Southern University at New Orleanssimilar SAT range |
| Siena Heights | 806 to 1073 | 68.9% | Similar oddssimilar SAT range |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | 950 to 1113 | 69.0% | Similar oddsSAT about 97 higher |
| McNeese State | 940 to 1198 | 78.3% | Similar oddsSAT about 134 higher |
How Recent Are These Southern University at New Orleans SAT Scores?
Every score, rate, and enrollment figure on this page comes from the US Department of Education College Scorecard, 2024-2025 release, the same federal dataset colleges report into. Testing policy reflects the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This page was last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Score ranges quoted around the web for Southern University at New Orleans disagree with each other more than you would expect, usually because a site is quoting an older class or an unlabeled estimate. We publish the reported number, label the vintage, and update when the source updates. We also cross checked Southern University at New Orleans's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.
Southern University at New Orleans SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into Southern University at New Orleans?
Southern University at New Orleans's middle 50 percent SAT range is 820 to 1050. Aim for at least 820 to be competitive, and 1050 or higher to be a strong applicant. There is no hard cutoff, but a score in or above this range keeps your application in contention.
Is a 820 a good SAT score for Southern University at New Orleans?
A 820 sits at Southern University at New Orleans's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 820 to 1050. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1050 makes your application stronger.
What is the average SAT score at Southern University at New Orleans?
The average composite SAT score at Southern University at New Orleans is 944. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 820 and 1050.
Does Southern University at New Orleans require SAT scores?
No. Southern University at New Orleans was test optional in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without SAT scores. Confirm the current 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit.
Is Southern University at New Orleans test optional for 2026-2027?
Southern University at New Orleans was test optional in the most recent federal data, meaning you could apply without scores. Policies change year to year, so verify the 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site.
What ACT score do you need for Southern University at New Orleans?
Southern University at New Orleans's middle 50 percent ACT range is 15 to 20. Aim for at least 15 to be competitive and 20 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at Southern University at New Orleans.
What GPA do you need to get into Southern University at New Orleans?
Admitted students at Southern University at New Orleans typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on the 4.0 scale, based on schools with a comparable acceptance rate. Grades earned in rigorous courses matter as much as the number itself, and a strong SAT score is the fastest way to offset a GPA at the lower edge of that range.
What is Southern University at New Orleans's acceptance rate?
Southern University at New Orleans admits about 78.9% of applicants, which makes it less selective. A strong SAT score still helps your application stand out, especially for selective majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
What are my chances of getting into Southern University at New Orleans?
Southern University at New Orleans admits about 78.9% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 820 to 1050 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.0 to 3.5. A score above 1050 puts you in the strongest quarter of the class on testing. Use the admissions calculator on this page to check your own SAT and GPA against Southern University at New Orleans's real numbers.
How can I raise my SAT score for Southern University at New Orleans?
Focus your prep on the section costing you the most points, then follow a study plan built for your target score range. Cheetah Prep has step by step score plans for specific point jumps and unlimited practice questions with worked solutions.
Does Southern University at New Orleans superscore the SAT?
Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and Southern University at New Orleans does not report this in the federal data. Check the school's admissions site for its current superscore policy, which tells you whether it combines your best section scores across test dates.
About this page: written and reviewed by the Cheetah Prep team. Last reviewed July 15, 2026.
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