KY State vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY 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 KY State based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Kentucky 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: Kentucky State University 10:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

KY State vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than Tennessee State University ($9,397 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 22.1% lower than at Tennessee State University ($8,686 vs. $11,150).
• Kentucky State University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $771 more per year; $9,387.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at Tennessee State University than at Kentucky State University (about $8,758 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at Tennessee State University (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky State University students is 7% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,340 vs. $9,661).

KY State vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee State University (970) is 50 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

KY State vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($28,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($289 vs. $299).
• More Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 24%)

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.