SC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Southern is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,046 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sterling College is located in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sterling College 8:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

SC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SC 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 SC ($14,546 vs. $23,531).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 13.4% lower than at Sterling College ($8,300 vs. $9,586).
• Sterling College is 208.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $22,776 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.5% higher at SC than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $22,776 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 128.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($23,673 vs. $10,358).

SC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SC 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 SC.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sterling College (1030) is 20 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming SC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at The University of Tennessee Southern (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 938/1123; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sterling College 18/24; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SC - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at SC vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

SC vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SC 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Sterling College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $2,348 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($22,315 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($230 vs. $255).
• More SC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.