ESU vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS 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 ESU based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emporia State University 16:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

ESU vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU 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 Tennessee State University than ESU ($14,586 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 1.8% lower than at Tennessee State University ($10,950 vs. $11,150).
• Tennessee State University is 21.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $1,510 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at Tennessee State University than at Emporia State University (about $6,997 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Tennessee State University (92% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 62.3% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($9,661 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: ESU - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

ESU vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $8,581 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($19,419 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($200 vs. $289).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.