SCSU vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

SCSU vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 SCSU ($14,586 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 25.4% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($11,150 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 56% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $4,822 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at SCSU than at Tennessee State University (about $4,962 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Connecticut State University than at Tennessee State University (78% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($9,977 vs. $9,661).

SCSU vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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: SCSU - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at SCSU (3.2).
• SCSU has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

SCSU vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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).

• Southern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($23,250 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($240 vs. $289).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.