Blackburn College vs. Tusculum University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tusculum University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,103 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Tusculum University is in Greeneville, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tusculum University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Tusculum University 18:1.

Blackburn College vs. Tusculum University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Tusculum 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 Blackburn College than Tusculum University ($18,460 vs. $20,355).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 9.9% lower than at Tusculum University ($9,915 vs. $11,000).
• Tusculum University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $1,101 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Tusculum University than at Blackburn College (about $1,101 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Tusculum University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tusculum University students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($23,759 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Tusculum University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Tusculum 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 Tusculum University and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is the same as at Tusculum University (1010).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at Tusculum University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Tusculum University 910/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Tusculum University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Tusculum University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Tusculum University (3.18).
• Tusculum University has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 16.4% at Tusculum University.

Blackburn College vs. Tusculum University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Tusculum 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 Tusculum University's (38%).
• Graduates from Tusculum University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Tusculum University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tusculum University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tusculum University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

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.