IU vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; The University of the South 9:1.

IU vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU or Sewanee? 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 Indiana University Bloomington than Sewanee ($17,270 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 12.8% lower than at The University of the South ($13,984 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 362.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $43,976 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at Sewanee than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $14,229 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $41,891.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Indiana University Bloomington (98% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 254.4% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($37,171 vs. $10,487).

IU vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee and IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 40 points higher than at IU (1290).
• Incoming IU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

IU vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU and Sewanee? 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 the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Indiana University Bloomington's (72%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($19,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($196 vs. $232).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

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.