CSU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC with Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than Tennessee Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 1,198 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

CSU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University than CSU ($15,125 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 22.5% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($9,458 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $1,706 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at CSU than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (about $1,706 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,814.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($24,692 vs. $23,240).

CSU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030).
• Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Tennessee Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Tennessee Wesleyan University (68.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

CSU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Tennessee Wesleyan 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).

• Tennessee Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($193 vs. $279).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.