BSC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bismarck State College is located in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bismarck State College 13:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

BSC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSC or Tennessee State University? 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 Bismarck State College than Tennessee State University ($10,462 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 25.8% lower than at Tennessee State University ($8,273 vs. $11,150).
• Tennessee State University is 64.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $3,369 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.8% higher at Tennessee State University than at Bismarck State College (about $15,085 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bismarck State College than at Tennessee State University (73% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 91.3% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($9,661 vs. $5,049).

BSC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSC or Tennessee State University? 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 Tennessee State University and BSC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSC - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.

BSC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSC and Tennessee State University? 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).

• Graduates from Bismarck State College earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $16,959 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($11,041 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($114 vs. $289).
• More BSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 29%)

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.