The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (20,276 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); University of Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern or Memphis? 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 University of Memphis than The University of Tennessee Southern ($12,756 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 26.8% lower than at University of Memphis ($8,300 vs. $11,342).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Memphis (about $196 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.8% higher at Memphis than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $4,460 more per year; $15,384.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of Memphis (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 13.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($11,793 vs. $10,358).

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Memphis (1050) is 40 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 Memphis (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027; Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Memphis (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Tennessee Southern and Memphis? 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 University of Memphis's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Memphis earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $2,935 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($22,315 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($230 vs. $261).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 37%)

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.