Eastern vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Kentucky 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: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Eastern vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($12,279 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32.3% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($8,300 vs. $12,268).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $604 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.3% higher at Eastern than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,306 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Eastern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 10.7% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($11,468 vs. $10,358).

Eastern vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 30 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Eastern vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $1,380 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($22,315 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($230 vs. $245).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.