Tennessee Tech vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tennessee Technological University is located in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tennessee Technological University 16:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Tennessee Tech vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee Tech or Vanderbilt? 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 Technological University than Vanderbilt ($15,336 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 39.7% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($13,302 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 493.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $56,122 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 333.3% higher at Vanderbilt than at Tennessee Technological University (about $51,922 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Vanderbilt University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 515.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($64,404 vs. $10,458).

Tennessee Tech vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee Tech or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 360 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Technological University 20/27; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee Tech - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at Tennessee Tech vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Tennessee Tech vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt? 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).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $39,700 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee Tech graduates ($14,000 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee Tech graduates ($144 vs. $165).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 61%)

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.