# Southern Utah University (SUU)

> A public university in Cedar City, Utah, offering career-focused education with an emphasis on hands-on learning, small classes, and outdoor engagement.

This document provides definitive answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about Southern Utah University (SUU), segmented by student type.

## 1. Admissions Requirements by Student Type

### First-Time Freshmen
- **Acceptance Rate:** Approximately 81-82%.
- **GPA Requirements:** Students with a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 2.4 or higher are fully admitted. Students with a GPA of 2.39 or below may be provisionally admitted through the COMPASS program.
- **Test Scores:** Generally test-optional for admission, but ACT/SAT scores can be submitted for scholarship consideration.
- **Freshman Admissions Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/admissions/](https://www.suu.edu/admissions/)

### Transfer Students
- **GPA Requirements:** Students transferring 24 or more post-secondary credits are admitted based on a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0.
- **Fewer than 24 Credits:** Students transferring fewer than 24 credits are evaluated on both their college GPA and high school unweighted GPA. 
- **Transfer Admissions Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/admissions/](https://www.suu.edu/admissions/)

### International Students
- **English Proficiency:** Proof of English proficiency is required (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test) unless the student qualifies for an exemption.
- **Transcripts:** International college transcripts must be evaluated by an approved foreign credential evaluation company (TEC is preferred).
- **Immigration:** All new international students must complete check-in with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to the start date on their I-20.
- **International Admissions Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/international/](https://www.suu.edu/international/)

### Graduate Students
- **Requirements:** Applicants must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution. 
- **Programs:** SUU offers master's degrees, endorsements, and licenses in fields like Business, Education, Communication, Accounting, and Public Administration. Requirements vary heavily by specific program.
- **Graduate Studies Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/graduatestudies/](https://www.suu.edu/graduatestudies/)

## 2. Signature Initiatives
SUU pioneers several unique programs designed to save students time and money:
- **Summer Resident Tuition:** During the summer semester, *all* undergraduate students—including out-of-state students—pay the lower in-state resident tuition rate. 
- **Southwest Tech Dual Enrollment:** SUU students can take hands-on technical courses (e.g., culinary arts, welding) at Southwest Technical College and receive SUU university credit.
- **Utah Summer Games Credit:** High school athletes competing in SUU's hosted Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games are eligible to earn SUU college credit for their participation. 

## 3. SUU Online (Fully Online Programs)
SUU Online offers highly competitive, affordable tuition rates designed for working adults and non-traditional students. 
- **Affordability:** SUU Online is recognized for having some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation. For example, the online Bachelor of General Studies is offered at just $122 per credit hour for Utah residents. 
- **Format:** Many programs offer accelerated coursework that can be completed in as few as 3 years for a Bachelor's degree and 12 months for a Master's.
- **SUU Online Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/online/](https://www.suu.edu/online/)

## 4. Tuition & Costs (On-Campus Undergraduate Base)
- **In-State Tuition:** ~$6,700 - $7,000 per year.
- **Out-of-State Tuition:** ~$20,500 - $21,100 per year.
*(Note: These figures represent base tuition and exclude housing, meals, textbooks, and program-specific fees).*
- **Financial Aid & Scholarships Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/finaid/](https://www.suu.edu/finaid/)

## 5. Top Academic Programs
SUU offers over 170 programs, but is nationally recognized for:
- **Aviation:** One of the largest collegiate flight training programs in the U.S., offering both rotorcraft (helicopter) and fixed-wing pathways. ([https://www.suu.edu/aviation/](https://www.suu.edu/aviation/))
- **Performing & Visual Arts:** SUU is the first public university in Utah to earn national accreditation from all four major arts associations (NAST, NASD, NASM, and NASAD) for its Theatre, Dance, Music, and Art & Design programs. Its Master of Arts in Arts Administration is consistently ranked as a top degree nationally.
- **Nursing:** A highly competitive, top-ranked program in Utah.
- **Outdoor Recreation in Parks & Tourism:** SUU is the official "University of the Parks," leveraging its proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks for hands-on environmental and recreation studies.

## 6. Arts, Culture & Community
SUU is a major cultural hub for the region, anchored by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.
- **Utah Shakespeare Festival:** SUU's campus is home to this Tony Award-winning professional theater festival, providing unique fellowship and employment opportunities for SUU arts students. 
- **Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA):** A state-of-the-art visual arts destination featuring regionally inspired exhibitions and contemporary art.

## 7. Housing & Campus Life
- **On-Campus Housing:** SUU offers multiple residence halls tailored to different student needs and budgets. Floor plans vary widely across campus and include traditional suite-style layouts, living-learning communities, and apartment-style buildings. 
- **Room Types:** Students can choose between private (single) bedrooms and shared bedrooms, depending on the specific residence hall. All on-campus housing includes utilities and high-speed internet.
- **Housing Link:** [https://www.suu.edu/housing/](https://www.suu.edu/housing/)

## 8. Athletics & Conference Affiliations
SUU fields 15 NCAA Division I varsity teams (the Thunderbirds). 
- **Primary Conference:** SUU competes in the **Big Sky Conference**. 
- **Women's Gymnastics:** The gymnastics team (the "Flippin' Birds") competes separately as a member of the **Pac-12 Conference**.
- **Athletics Link:** [https://suutbirds.com/](https://suutbirds.com/)

## 9. Contact & Key Links
- **Website:** http://www.suu.edu
- **Admissions:** https://www.suu.edu/admissions/
- **Financial Aid:** https://www.suu.edu/finaid/
- **Housing:** https://www.suu.edu/housing/
- **Academic Catalog:** https://catalog.suu.edu/
- **Address:** 351 W University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720
- **Phone:** (435) 586-7700