Middle Tennessee State University vs. Watkins Institute

Should I go to Middle Tennessee State University or Watkins College of Art Design & Film? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Middle Tennessee State University or Watkins Institute 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Middle Tennessee State University vs. Watkins College of Art Design & Film comparison
Middle Tennessee State University Watkins College of Art Design & Film College 3 College 4
Middle Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
Location Murfreesboro, TN Nashville, TN
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 20,086 193
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mtsu.edu watkins.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
Tuition (In State) $7,344 $22,800
Tuition (Out of State) $26,376 $22,800
Room & Board $9,576 $11,000
Avg Net Price $13,062 -
Avg Grant Aid $9,421 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 0%

Admission

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,868 -
Admitted 9,335 -
Acceptance Rate 72.5%
Enrolled % 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
Graduation Rate 45% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $38,700
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,758 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $279

Diversity

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 69%
% Black 22% 15%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Middle Tennessee State University Watkins Institute
% In-State 89% 72%
% Out-of-State 11% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Watkins Institute based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 193 students)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Watkins Institute Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Middle Tennessee State University or Watkins Institute?

  • Watkins College of Art Design & Film is 210.5% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($22,800.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.7% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($26,376.00 vs. $22,800.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 14.9% lower than costs at Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($9,576 vs. $11,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (100% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is ?% larger than aid received Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($9,421 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Middle Tennessee State University (1031) is 28 points higher than at Watkins Institute (1003)
  • Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Watkins Institute (21)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Watkins Institute (3.33)

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Watkins Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Middle Tennessee State University or Watkins Institute? 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 Watkins Institute and Middle Tennessee State University.

  • The graduation rate at Middle Tennessee State University is higher than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (45% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Watkins Institute graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $38,700)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $5,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Watkins Institute graduates. ($21,758 vs. $27,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Watkins Institute graduates. ($224 vs. $279)
  • More Middle Tennessee State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Watkins Institute students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 47%)

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