DSC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than DSC based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

DSC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or 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 Dalton State College than Tennessee State University ($5,625 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 6.6% lower than at Tennessee State University ($10,419 vs. $11,150).
• Tennessee State University is 158.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $5,280 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.4% higher at Tennessee State University than at Dalton State College (about $11,760 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Tennessee State University (92% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($9,661 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or 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 Tennessee State University and DSC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and 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).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $13,113 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($14,887 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($153 vs. $289).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 29%)

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.