Middle Tennessee State University vs. Southern Adventist University

Should I go to Middle Tennessee State University or Southern Adventist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Middle Tennessee State University or Southern Adventist University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Middle Tennessee State University vs. Southern Adventist University comparison
Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University College 3 College 4
Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Location Murfreesboro, TN Collegedale, TN
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 20,086 2,903
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #656 #563
Religious Affiliation - Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mtsu.edu southern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $7,344 $22,980
Tuition (Out of State) $26,376 $22,980
Room & Board $9,576 $8,330
Avg Net Price $13,062 $24,332
Avg Grant Aid $9,421 $14,000
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,868 2,490
Admitted 9,335 1,638
Acceptance Rate 72.5% 65.8%
Enrolled % 30% 38.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.59
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1230 980/1280
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (5%)

Outcomes

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 45% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,758 $26,500
Median Loan Payment $224 $274

Diversity

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
% Men 45% 43%
% Women 55% 57%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 48%
% Black 22% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 21%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
% In-State 89% 18%
% Out-of-State 11% 77%

Campus

Middle Tennessee State University Southern Adventist University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 2,903 students)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Middle Tennessee State University or Southern Adventist University?

  • Southern Adventist University is 212.9% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($22,980.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.8% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Southern Adventist University ($26,376.00 vs. $22,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Southern Adventist University ($13,062 vs. $24,332)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 15% lower than costs at Middle Tennessee State University ($8,330 vs. $9,576)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 48.6% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($14,000 vs. $9,421)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Middle Tennessee State University or Southern Adventist University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Adventist University or Middle Tennessee State University .

  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59)
  • Middle Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than Southern Adventist University (65.8%)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Middle Tennessee State University or Southern Adventist University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southern Adventist University and Middle Tennessee State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southern Adventist University is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (51% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,300)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $4,742 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($21,758 vs. $26,500)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Adventist University graduates. ($224 vs. $274)
  • More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/