Carson-Newman University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Deciding between Carson Newman University and Middle Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Middle Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN
  • Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
  • Setting
  • Carson-Newman University Small Suburban
  • Middle Tennessee State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carson-Newman University 2,669
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20,488
  • Type
  • Carson-Newman University Private 4 Year
  • Middle Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Carson-Newman University #829
  • Middle Tennessee State University #664
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Carson-Newman University Baptist
  • Middle Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • Carson-Newman University Non-profit
  • Middle Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • Carson-Newman University cn.edu
  • Middle Tennessee State University mtsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Carson-Newman University $34,700
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,266
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Carson-Newman University $34,700
  • Middle Tennessee State University $31,574
  • Room & Board
  • Carson-Newman University $11,800
  • Middle Tennessee State University $12,242
  • Average Net Price
  • Carson-Newman University $20,895
  • Middle Tennessee State University $13,859
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Carson-Newman University $28,090
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,665
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Carson-Newman University 100%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 94%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Carson-Newman University Calculate
  • Middle Tennessee State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Carson-Newman University 2,460
  • Middle Tennessee State University 14,989
  • Admitted
  • Carson-Newman University 2,225
  • Middle Tennessee State University 10,356
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Carson-Newman University 90.4%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 69.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Carson-Newman University 16.8%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 30.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carson-Newman University 1090
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carson-Newman University 22
  • Middle Tennessee State University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Carson-Newman University 3.6
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Carson-Newman University A-
  • Middle Tennessee State University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Carson-Newman University Easy
  • Middle Tennessee State University Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Middle Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Carson-Newman University 19/25
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Carson-Newman University 955/1215
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Carson-Newman University Test optional
  • Middle Tennessee State University Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Carson-Newman University 12:1
  • Middle Tennessee State University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Carson-Newman University
    • Education (25%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (5%)
  • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Business (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Carson-Newman University 45%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 45%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Carson-Newman University $41,700
  • Middle Tennessee State University $42,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Carson-Newman University 65%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Carson-Newman University $23,880
  • Middle Tennessee State University $21,758
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Carson-Newman University $246
  • Middle Tennessee State University $224
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Carson-Newman University 38%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 46%
  • % Women
  • Carson-Newman University 62%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Carson-Newman University Very Low
  • Middle Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Carson-Newman University No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • % White
  • Carson-Newman University 83%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • % Asian
  • Carson-Newman University 1%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Black
  • Carson-Newman University 8%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • Carson-Newman University 2%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Carson-Newman University 2%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • Carson-Newman University 3%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Carson-Newman University 73%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Carson-Newman University 27%
  • Middle Tennessee State University 8%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Carson-Newman University No
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Learn More
  • Carson-Newman University Details
  • Middle Tennessee State University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than Carson-Newman University based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 2,669 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carson Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carson Newman University 12:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

Carson-Newman University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carson-Newman University or Middle 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 Middle Tennessee State University than Carson-Newman University ($13,859 vs. $20,895).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carson Newman University are 3.6% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($11,800 vs. $12,242).
  • Carson Newman University is 238% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $24,434 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $10,266.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Carson-Newman University than at Middle Tennessee State University (about $3,126 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $31,574.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman University students is 163.4% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($28,090 vs. $10,665).

Carson-Newman University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carson-Newman University or Middle 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Carson-Newman University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middle Tennessee State University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Carson-Newman University (1090).
  • Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carson Newman University 955/1215; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carson Newman University 19/25; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carson-Newman University - Test optional; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Carson-Newman University (3.6).
  • Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at Carson-Newman University vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

Carson-Newman University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carson-Newman University and Middle 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).

  • The graduation rate at Carson-Newman University is the same as at Middle Tennessee State University (45% vs. 45%).
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Carson-Newman University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $2,122 lower median loan debt than Carson-Newman University graduates ($21,758 vs. $23,880).
  • Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carson-Newman University graduates ($224 vs. $246).
  • More Carson-Newman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 50%)

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.