The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (20,488 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); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern or Middle 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 Middle Tennessee State University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($13,859 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32.2% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($8,300 vs. $12,242).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $658 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $20,650 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Middle Tennessee State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($10,665 vs. $10,358).

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middle Tennessee State University (1120) is 110 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027; Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Middle Tennessee State University's (45%).
• Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $557 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($21,758 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($224 vs. $230).
• More Middle Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.