Tennessee State University vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, TN (Large City setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee State University 13:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

Tennessee State University vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee State University or EWU? 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 EWU ($14,586 vs. $14,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 28.4% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($11,150 vs. $15,574).
• Tennessee State University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $30 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at EWU than at Tennessee State University (about $3,543 more per year; $25,959.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at Tennessee State University (86% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Washington University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,001 vs. $9,661).

Tennessee State University vs. EWU Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Washington University (990) is 20 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming EWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee State University 880/1050; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee State University 16/21; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee State University - Open admission; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EWU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Tennessee State University vs. 22.7% at EWU.

Tennessee State University vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee State University and EWU? 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).

• Eastern Washington University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $7,182 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($20,818 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($215 vs. $289).
• More EWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.