Blackburn College vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

Blackburn College vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Memphis? 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 University of Memphis than Blackburn College ($12,756 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 12.6% lower than at University of Memphis ($9,915 vs. $11,342).
• Blackburn College is 162.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Memphis (about $17,421 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $10,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83% higher at Blackburn College than at University of Memphis (about $12,765 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $15,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at University of Memphis (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 65% larger than aid received by University of Memphis students ($19,456 vs. $11,793).

Blackburn College vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Memphis? 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 Memphis and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Memphis (1050) is 40 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Memphis students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

Blackburn College vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Memphis? 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 University of Memphis's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Memphis earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Memphis graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($25,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Memphis graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($261 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 37%)

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.