Tennessee State University vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN with Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than Penn College based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 4,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, TN (Large City setting); Pennsylvania College of Technology is in Williamsport, PA (Small City setting).
• Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee State University 13:1; Pennsylvania College of Technology 14:1.

Tennessee State University vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee State University or Penn College? 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 Penn College ($14,586 vs. $23,675).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 13% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Technology ($11,150 vs. $12,818).
• Pennsylvania College of Technology is 111.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $9,624 more per year; $18,240.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Penn College than at Tennessee State University (about $3,564 more per year; $25,980.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Technology than at Tennessee State University (68% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($9,661 vs. $8,964).

Tennessee State University vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• 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; Penn College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Penn College (3.05).

Tennessee State University vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Pennsylvania College of Technology's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($222 vs. $289).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.