Tennessee State University vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, TN (Large City setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee State University 13:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Tennessee State University vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee State University or Bluefield 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 Bluefield University ($14,586 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 15% lower than at Tennessee State University ($9,480 vs. $11,150).
• Bluefield University is 210.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $18,154 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.4% higher at Bluefield University than at Tennessee State University (about $4,354 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Tennessee State University (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 110.5% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($20,341 vs. $9,661).

Tennessee State University vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee State University or Bluefield 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 Bluefield University and Tennessee State University.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee State University - Open admission; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Tennessee State University vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

Tennessee State University vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee State University and Bluefield 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).

• The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is the same as at Bluefield University (36% vs. 36%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $7,166 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($20,834 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($215 vs. $289).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.