The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN 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 The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (6,310 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); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than Tennessee State University ($14,546 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 25.6% lower than at Tennessee State University ($8,300 vs. $11,150).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $2,308 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.2% higher at Tennessee State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $11,492 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Tennessee State University (99% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,358 vs. $9,661).

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

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

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

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $5,685 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($22,315 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($230 vs. $289).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.