Illinois College vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Illinois College vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Illinois College ($14,586 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 7.3% lower than at Illinois College ($11,150 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 348.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $30,060 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.5% higher at Illinois College than at Tennessee State University (about $16,260 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 227.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($31,609 vs. $9,661).

Illinois College vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois College (1030) is 60 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming Illinois College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Illinois College has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Illinois College vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Illinois College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.