Blackburn College vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College 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 Tennessee State University than Blackburn College ($14,586 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 11.1% lower than at Tennessee State University ($9,915 vs. $11,150).
• Blackburn College is 226.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $19,533 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at Blackburn College than at Tennessee State University (about $5,733 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 101.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($19,456 vs. $9,661).

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College 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 Blackburn College.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.