KWC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, 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 KWC based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

KWC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 Tennessee State University than KWC ($14,586 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 5.9% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($11,150 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 302.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $26,057 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at KWC than at Tennessee State University (about $12,257 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 164.3% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($25,538 vs. $9,661).

KWC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming KWC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman KWC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

KWC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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).

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $5,093 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($22,907 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($236 vs. $289).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 29%)

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.