Southern Adventist University vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 3,229 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Adventist University is located in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Adventist University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Southern Adventist University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Adventist University or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Southern Adventist University ($15,347 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 29.4% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($8,900 vs. $12,604).
• Southern Adventist University is 161.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $16,852 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.5% higher at Southern Adventist University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $8,788 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 28.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($12,904 vs. $10,038).

Southern Adventist University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Adventist University or UTC? 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 UTC and Southern Adventist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 50 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Southern Adventist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Adventist University 1020/1300; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Adventist University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Adventist University - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.9% at Southern Adventist University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Southern Adventist University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Adventist University and UTC? 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).

• Southern Adventist University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $5,708 lower median loan debt than Southern Adventist University graduates ($20,792 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Adventist University graduates ($214 vs. $274).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.