FSW vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Florida SouthWestern 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: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

FSW vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 Florida SouthWestern State College than Tennessee State University ($8,356 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 0.3% lower than at Florida SouthWestern State College ($11,150 vs. $11,185).
• Tennessee State University is 153.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $5,215 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at Tennessee State University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $9,437 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than at Tennessee State University (80% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 62.7% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($9,661 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• 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: FSW - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at FSW (3.06).

FSW vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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).

• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than FSW graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $19,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($9,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $196 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($93 vs. $289).
• More FSW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.