Columbus State vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus State University is located in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus State University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Columbus State vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State 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 Columbus State University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($12,420 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 29.2% lower than at Columbus State University ($8,300 vs. $11,720).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 85.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $5,026 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at Columbus State than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $6,686 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Columbus State University (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($10,358 vs. $9,003).

Columbus State vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 80 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Columbus State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Columbus State vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Columbus State University's (31%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $3,685 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($22,315 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.