Tougaloo College vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than Tougaloo College based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 1,301 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tougaloo College is located in Tougaloo, MS (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Tougaloo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tougaloo College 9:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Tougaloo College vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tougaloo College or Tennessee State 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 Tougaloo College than Tennessee State University ($14,328 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tougaloo College are 20% lower than at Tennessee State University ($8,924 vs. $11,150).
• Tougaloo College is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $3,791 more per year; $12,407.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.7% higher at Tennessee State University than at Tougaloo College (about $10,009 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $12,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tougaloo College than at Tennessee State University (93% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tougaloo College students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($9,900 vs. $9,661).

Tougaloo College vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee State University (970) is 30 points higher than at Tougaloo College (940).
• Incoming Tougaloo College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 18) as students at Tennessee State University (18).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tougaloo College 790/1090; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tougaloo College 16/21; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tougaloo College - Required; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Tougaloo College (2.8).
• Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Tougaloo College (59.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at Tougaloo College vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Tougaloo College vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tougaloo College and Tennessee State 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).

• Tougaloo College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Tougaloo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have a $7,004 lower median loan debt than Tougaloo College graduates ($28,000 vs. $35,004).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tougaloo College graduates ($289 vs. $361).
• More Tougaloo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (39% 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.