SIUE vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

SIUE vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Southern than SIUE ($14,546 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 42.7% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($8,300 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $1,998 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.3% higher at SIUE than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $1,998 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students is 12% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($11,602 vs. $10,358).

SIUE vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and SIUE.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 60 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

SIUE vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 Illinois University Edwardsville's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $885 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($21,430 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($221 vs. $230).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 43%)

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.