Jackson State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Jackson State University in Jackson, MS with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Jackson State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (6,326 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jackson State University is located in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Jackson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jackson State University 14:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Jackson State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than Jackson State University ($14,546 vs. $23,450).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 42.1% lower than at Jackson State University ($8,300 vs. $14,341).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jackson State University (about $1,959 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $8,965.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Jackson State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $1,041 more per year; $11,965.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Jackson State University (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 23.5% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($10,358 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Jackson State University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 60 points higher than at Jackson State University (950).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Jackson State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 820/1070; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Jackson State University (3.1).
• Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Jackson State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Jackson State University's (40%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $6,685 lower median loan debt than Jackson State University graduates ($22,315 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jackson State University graduates ($230 vs. $299).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 36%)

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.