Columbia International University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia International University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (2,914 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia International University is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia International University 13:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Columbia International University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia International University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Southern than Columbia International University ($14,546 vs. $26,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 30.5% lower than at Columbia International University ($8,300 vs. $11,950).
• Columbia International University is 155.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $16,976 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.4% higher at Columbia International University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $16,976 more per year; $27,900.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Columbia International University (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 64.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($17,009 vs. $10,358).

Columbia International University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia International University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Columbia International University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia International University (1090) is 80 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Columbia International University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia International University 990/1195; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia International University 16/25; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia International University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia International University Aug 1, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• Columbia International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at Columbia International University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Columbia International University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia International University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• Columbia International University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Columbia International University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have a $815 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, Columbia International University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 43%)

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.