Saint Johns River State College vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, FL with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Johns River State College is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (7,927 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Johns River State College is located in Palatka, FL (Distant Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Saint Johns River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Johns River State College 19:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Saint Johns River State College vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Johns River State College 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 Saint Johns River State College than Tennessee State University ($6,712 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 11.5% lower than at Saint Johns River State College ($11,150 vs. $12,604).
• Tennessee State University is 232.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Johns River State College (about $6,025 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $2,591.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.1% higher at Tennessee State University than at Saint Johns River State College (about $13,081 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $9,335.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee State University than at Saint Johns River State College (67% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Saint Johns River State College students ($9,661 vs. $7,384).

Saint Johns River State College vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Johns River State College 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 Saint Johns River State College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Johns River State College - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Johns River State College Oct 10, 2026.

Saint Johns River State College vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Johns River State College 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).

• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Saint Johns River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have a $16,349 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($11,651 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have an estimated $169 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($120 vs. $289).
• More Saint Johns River State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (32% 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.