JCSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson C Smith University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (1,302 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

JCSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU 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 JCSU ($14,546 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 3.5% lower than at Johnson C Smith University ($8,300 vs. $8,600).
• Johnson C Smith University is 95% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,376 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95% higher at JCSU than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,376 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Johnson C Smith University (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 47.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($15,238 vs. $10,358).

JCSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 120 points higher than at JCSU (890).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 15 at JCSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

JCSU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU 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 Johnson C Smith University's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $9,735 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($22,315 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($230 vs. $331).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 26%)

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.