South College vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare South College in Knoxville, TN with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South College is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (11,557 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South College is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• South College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South College 25:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

South College vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South 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 Tennessee State University than South College ($14,586 vs. $17,588).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 34.1% lower than at South College ($11,150 vs. $16,920).
• South College is 115.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $9,919 more per year; $18,535.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Tennessee State University than at South College (about $3,881 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $18,535.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South College than at Tennessee State University (83% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South College students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($14,208 vs. $9,661).

South College vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South 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 South 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: South College - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.

South College vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South 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).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than South College's (25%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than South College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,777 lower median loan debt than South College graduates ($28,000 vs. $34,777).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South College graduates ($289 vs. $359).
• More South College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (31% 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.