Mississippi Valley State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Deciding between Mississippi Valley State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Mississippi Valley State University
The University of Tennessee Southern

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN
  • Setting
  • Mississippi Valley State University Remote Town
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2,205
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 1,046
  • Type
  • Mississippi Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mississippi Valley State University #1005
  • The University of Tennessee Southern #907
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mississippi Valley State University -
  • The University of Tennessee Southern United Methodist
  • Status
  • Mississippi Valley State University Non-profit
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • The University of Tennessee Southern

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,924
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,924
  • Room & Board
  • Mississippi Valley State University $8,956
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $8,300
  • Average Net Price
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,232
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $14,546
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,933
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,358
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mississippi Valley State University 100%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 99%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Mississippi Valley State University Calculate
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Calculate
  • Applied
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,141
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 760
  • Admitted
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,054
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 659
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92.4%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 86.7% Open
  • Enrolled
  • Mississippi Valley State University 32.3%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 26.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mississippi Valley State University 17
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2.9
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 3.17
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mississippi Valley State University B
  • The University of Tennessee Southern B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Easy
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • The University of Tennessee Southern
  • ACT Range
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13/22
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mississippi Valley State University Test optional
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13:1
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mississippi Valley State University
    • Education (29%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Human Services (19%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • The University of Tennessee Southern
    • Business (18%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mississippi Valley State University 24%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 49%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $26,600
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $34,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mississippi Valley State University 35%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mississippi Valley State University $29,336
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $22,315
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mississippi Valley State University $303
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $230

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mississippi Valley State University 47%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 39%
  • % Women
  • Mississippi Valley State University 53%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Low
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Low
  • HBCU
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • % White
  • Mississippi Valley State University 3%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 73%
  • % Asian
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • % Black
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 2%
  • % Native American
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • % International
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mississippi Valley State University 4%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 7%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mississippi Valley State University 40%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 80%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mississippi Valley State University 57%
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 12%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Mississippi Valley State University No
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • Meal Plan
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • Learn More
  • Mississippi Valley State University Details
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi Valley State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (2,205 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi Valley State University 13:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi Valley State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Mississippi Valley State University than The University of Tennessee Southern ($10,232 vs. $14,546).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 7.3% lower than at Mississippi Valley State University ($8,300 vs. $8,956).
  • The University of Tennessee Southern is 42% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $3,232 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42% higher at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $3,232 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($10,933 vs. $10,358).

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

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

  • The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
  • Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Mississippi Valley State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi Valley State University 13/22; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
  • Mississippi Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi Valley State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $7,021 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($22,315 vs. $29,336).
  • Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($230 vs. $303).
  • More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 35%)

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.