Alcorn State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Alcorn State University in Alcorn State, MS with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alcorn State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (2,995 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alcorn State University is located in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Alcorn State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alcorn State University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Alcorn State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alcorn State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alcorn State University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($12,376 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32% lower than at Alcorn State University ($8,300 vs. $12,204).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alcorn State University (about $2,139 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Alcorn State University (about $2,139 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $8,785.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Alcorn State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alcorn State University students is 9.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($11,375 vs. $10,358).

Alcorn State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alcorn State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between The University of Tennessee Southern and Alcorn State University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 180 points higher than at Alcorn State University (830).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Alcorn State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 670/998; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 15/19; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alcorn State University - Required; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alcorn State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Alcorn State University (45.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at Alcorn State University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Alcorn State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alcorn State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Alcorn State University's (33%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $5,935 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($22,315 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($230 vs. $292).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.