Alabama vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Tennessee Tech? 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 Alabama ($15,336 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 11.4% lower than at The University of Alabama ($13,302 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $804 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.4% higher at Alabama than at Tennessee Technological University (about $18,596 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at The University of Alabama (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 67.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($17,503 vs. $10,458).

Alabama vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 110 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama and Tennessee Tech? 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 Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($16,000 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($165 vs. $245).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.