The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Marshall University

Comparable Facts

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

Marshall University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Southern is located in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; Marshall University 16:1.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern or Marshall 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 Marshall University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($8,076 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 37.6% lower than at Marshall University ($8,300 vs. $13,292).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $1,762 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $9,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.2% higher at Marshall University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $9,418 more per year; $20,342.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Marshall University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($13,448 vs. $10,358).

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marshall University (1030) is 20 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Marshall University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110; Marshall University 910/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24; Marshall University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Marshall University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027; Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Tennessee Southern and Marshall 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Marshall University's (44%).
• Graduates from Marshall University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $819 lower median loan debt than Marshall University graduates ($22,315 vs. $23,134).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marshall University graduates ($230 vs. $239).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.