Truett McConnell University: 80.8% Acceptance Rate

80.8%Acceptance

$25,568Tuition

768Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,700Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNJCAAData: 2023-24Southern Baptist

About Truett McConnell University

Truett McConnell University brings Southern Baptist values to a small campus of 768 students in the mountains of northeast Georgia. This Christian university emphasizes faith-based education in a rural setting where students can focus on both academics and spiritual growth. The school accepts about 81% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1095, making it accessible to students seeking a Christ-centered education.

Students pay an average net price of $22,328 after financial aid, though this varies by family income. Graduates earn a median of $46,700 ten years after college, which helps justify the typical debt load of $23,439. The monthly loan payment averages $248, and about 54% of borrowers successfully repay their loans. Only 10% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the student body comes from middle-class families who value Christian higher education.

Athletics play a major role in campus life, with 410 students participating in 21 varsity sports at the NJCAA level. The Bears receive over $2.3 million in athletic scholarships, indicating the school's commitment to competitive sports. However, the 41% six-year graduation rate and 59% retention rate suggest students should be prepared for academic challenges in this faith-focused environment.

Academics & Faculty

Truett McConnell operates as a Christian liberal arts university where faith shapes every academic program. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates small classes typical of schools prioritizing personal attention over research. However, the 41% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees despite this intimate setting. The university emphasizes biblical studies, education, and business programs within its Southern Baptist framework. Students take required chapel services and Bible courses alongside traditional majors. The 59% retention rate indicates about two in five freshmen leave before sophomore year. Academic rigor varies across programs, with some students finding the religious requirements either deeply meaningful or restrictively narrow depending on their personal beliefs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 43.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 41.1%
Retention Rate: 59.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,700
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$56,415
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$35,060
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$29,685
Business/Commerce, General.	Bachelor	$29,685
Bible/Biblical Studies.	Bachelor	$27,439

View all 23 programs →

Campus Life

Truett McConnell sits in the Appalachian foothills about 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta, where students experience four distinct seasons and need both winter coats and sunscreen. With housing for 694 students and total enrollment of 768, nearly everyone lives on the compact campus surrounded by rolling hills and forests. The 90% in-state student body creates a tight-knit Georgia community where Southern Baptist values shape daily routines.

Campus life revolves around chapel services, athletic events, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the mountain setting. With 410 athletes across 21 varsity sports, the Bears draw significant weekend crowds despite the small size. Students often head to nearby Lake Lanier for recreation or make the drive to Atlanta for city experiences. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally, creating an environment where faith and academics intertwine closely. Social life centers on residence hall communities and campus organizations rather than Greek life, reflecting the university's Christian mission and rural setting.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 694 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Stalking	2	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–46°F
July Avg: 62°–79°F
Annual Precipitation: 128.7"
Annual Snowfall: -772.6"

Student Demographics

Truett McConnell draws heavily from Georgia, with 90% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 75% white with meaningful Black and Hispanic representation reflecting northeast Georgia's demographics. The balanced gender split of roughly 50-50 shows the Christian university appeals equally to men and women seeking faith-based education. Only 10% receive Pell Grants, indicating the school primarily serves middle-class families who can afford the $25,568 tuition. This creates a close-knit community of mostly Georgian students united by Southern Baptist values and traditional Christian college culture.

Men: 49.9%
Women: 50.1%
White: 75.3%
Black: 8.9%
Hispanic: 4.8%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 90.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 10.4%

Location

Cleveland sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northeast Georgia, about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta. The campus enrolls 768 students in this rural setting where 90% come from in-state. The town of roughly 4,000 residents provides a small-town atmosphere surrounded by mountain scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities. Students find themselves in Georgia's lake country, with Lake Lanier and other recreational areas nearby. The rural-distant classification means limited urban amenities but plenty of natural beauty. Housing capacity reaches 694 students, creating a close-knit residential community. Students considering colleges in Georgia may also compare Truett McConnell University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Cleveland, Georgia 30528

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,700
Median Earnings (5 years): $49,887
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 53.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $248/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $23,439

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Truett McConnell University?

Truett McConnell University accepts 80.83% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1000-1190 on the SAT. This Christian university in northeast Georgia welcomes students seeking faith-based education with relatively open admissions.

How much does Truett McConnell University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,328 after aid, less than the $36,488 total cost of attendance. Only 10.37% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting the student body comes primarily from middle-income families. The university offers institutional grants averaging $16,297 to about 31% of students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Truett McConnell University?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 16:1 with total enrollment of 768 students. This small Christian university emphasizes personalized attention in a rural Georgia setting. The intimate size allows professors to build meaningful relationships with students while maintaining Southern Baptist values.

What are the graduation rates at Truett McConnell University?

The six-year graduation rate is 41.10%, while the four-year rate reaches 43.79%. Alumni earn a median salary of $46,700 ten years after graduation with typical student debt of $23,439. The 59.26% retention rate reflects challenges common among smaller private colleges.

Where is Truett McConnell University located and what is campus life like?

The university sits in Cleveland, Georgia, classified as rural-distant with housing for 694 students. About 90% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit Georgia community. The campus maintains a nearly even gender split with 49.87% men and 50.13% women.

Does Truett McConnell University have strong athletics programs?

The Bears compete in NJCAA athletics with 21 varsity sports and 410 total athletes. The university awards $2,314,690 in athletic scholarships, demonstrating significant investment in sports programs. This emphasis on athletics complements the Christian mission, building character through competition and teamwork.