Sewanee vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Sewanee vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than Sewanee ($15,336 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 17% lower than at The University of the South ($13,302 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 393.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $44,744 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 260.3% higher at Sewanee than at Tennessee Technological University (about $40,544 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Tennessee Technological University (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 255.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($37,171 vs. $10,458).

Sewanee vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tech and Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 150 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Sewanee vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee and Tennessee Tech? 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 the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Sewanee graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sewanee graduates ($165 vs. $196).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

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.