The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Southern is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,046 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Southern is located in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; Bethany College 12:1.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern or Bethany College? 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 Bethany College ($14,546 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 37.2% lower than at Bethany College ($8,300 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 236.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $25,841 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 236.6% higher at Bethany College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $25,841 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 205.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($31,646 vs. $10,358).

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 20 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Tennessee Southern and Bethany College? 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 Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $8,569 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($22,315 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($230 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.