Bethel vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

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

Bethel University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethel University is located in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Bethel vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethel 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 Bethel University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($13,112 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 21.2% lower than at Bethel University ($8,300 vs. $10,538).
• Bethel University is 71.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $7,788 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at Bethel than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $7,788 more per year; $18,712.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Bethel University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 70.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($17,700 vs. $10,358).

Bethel vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethel 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 Bethel.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 30 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 830/1120; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethel University 15/21; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethel - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.2% at Bethel vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Bethel vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethel 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 Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $34,900), 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 Bethel 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 Bethel graduates ($230 vs. $292).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 33%)

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.