KWC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Southern is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (1,046 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College 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: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

KWC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 KWC ($14,546 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 30% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($8,300 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 217.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $23,749 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 217.4% higher at KWC than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $23,749 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 146.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($25,538 vs. $10,358).

KWC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is the same as at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KWC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

KWC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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 Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $592 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($22,315 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($230 vs. $236).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 43%)

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.