
4881 Taylor Circle, Collegedale, TN 37315, USA


Southern Adventist University provides an athletic program that includes participation in various intercollegiate sports. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes primarily in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). Students have the opportunity to engage in sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis, among others. These programs aim to promote physical fitness, sportsmanship, and teamwork, complementing the academic experience.
The athletic facilities support both training and competition, accommodating the needs of the student-athletes. While the university emphasizes a balanced approach to academics and athletics, it encourages students to develop skills that extend beyond their sport, including leadership and discipline.
Southern Adventist University offers a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests. Among these are the Asian Club, the Black Christian Union, the Business Society, the School of Nursing, and the Student Ministerial Association. These groups provide opportunities for students to engage socially, academically, and professionally within the campus community.
Southern Adventist University attracts a varied student population with notable differences in residency status. The proportion of in-state students is quite low, placing the university in the bottom 5% nationally for this category, with just 20% of students coming from within the state. Conversely, out-of-state enrollment is remarkably high, ranking in the top 5%, with 77% of students hailing from other states. This balance suggests a strong appeal beyond its immediate region. Domestic students make up 97% of the population, an average level compared to other institutions.
The university also exhibits moderate diversity in terms of international representation, although the number of foreign countries represented is limited, which positions it below the national average in this regard.
Enrollment figures reflect an average-sized institution with 758 freshmen and a smaller transfer population of 130 students, totaling 888 students entering the university in a typical year. These figures place the university in the lower half nationally, indicating a moderately sized incoming class compared to other colleges.
Age distribution reveals that most undergraduates fall within the typical college-age range of 18 to 21 years, with 1,125 students aged 18 to 19 and 973 students aged 20 to 21. There is also a significant number of students aged 22 to 24, totaling 435. Graduate students tend to be older, with a majority between 25 and 49 years of age.
Racial and ethnic composition is fairly balanced but remains in the average range relative to peer institutions. Hispanic students number 698, while White students total 1,036, both representing middling proportions nationally. Asian students account for 367, and African American students number 171, with each group falling near the middle comparative percentiles. Other groups such as Native American, Pacific Islander, and those identifying with two or more races contribute to the university's overall diversity, though none stand out as particularly large or small in comparison.
Student life at Southern Adventist University includes a variety of extracurricular opportunities that contribute to a vibrant campus environment. Students can participate in campus media, with options such as a campus newspaper and a campus radio station. For those interested in the arts, there is a campus chorus, although there is no campus drama group or band. However, television activities are not available on campus.
Health and well-being resources are in place, featuring a health clinic and psychological counseling services to support students' physical and mental health. While the university does not offer legal services, veterans affairs support, or a women's center, available health services contribute to maintaining student welfare.
The campus size measures approximately 1,000 units, though the specific unit of measurement is not provided. With a total enrollment of around 3,343 students, Southern Adventist University maintains an average student body size and a student-faculty ratio of 16, suggesting moderately sized classes that can help foster interaction between students and faculty.
Southern Adventist University features a primary library, the McKee Library, supported by seven additional library resources. This collection of facilities places the university in the top 5% nationally for the number of libraries available to students.
While the physical book collection numbers 173,284 volumes, this figure is considered average and ranks below the midline compared to other institutions. Similarly, subscription offerings-including 510 total and 170 digital subscriptions-also fall within an average range. The university maintains 160 databases, which similarly position it near the median percentile nationally.
Access to library resources includes both physical facilities and digital platforms, supported by staff trained to assist students effectively. The library offers an established schedule of 82 service hours per week and provides study rooms, although it does not offer all-day access. Additionally, students benefit from access to shared collections beyond the university's own holdings.
Total enrollment
3343Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
750Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
475 full time, 39 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
McKee LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes