CSU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

CSU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than CSU ($15,347 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 3.2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,200 vs. $12,604).
• Charleston Southern University is 211.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $22,072 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at CSU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $14,008 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 131.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($23,240 vs. $10,038).

CSU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or UTC? 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 UTC and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 60 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

CSU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and UTC? 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 University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $6,208 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($20,792 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.