Elon vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Elon based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 7,239 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Elon vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than Elon ($15,336 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 11.2% lower than at Elon University ($13,302 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 312.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $35,582 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 201.5% higher at Elon than at Tennessee Technological University (about $31,382 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Elon University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 70.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($17,867 vs. $10,458).

Elon vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tech and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 30 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Elon vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($16,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($165 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 61%)

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.