University of Illinois Springfield vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (4,628 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 University of Illinois Springfield than The University of Tennessee Southern ($10,809 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32.2% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($8,300 vs. $12,242).
• University of Illinois Springfield is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $1,328 more per year; $12,252.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at University of Illinois Springfield than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $11,093 more per year; $22,017.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of Illinois Springfield (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students is 41.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($14,666 vs. $10,358).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and University of Illinois Springfield.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Springfield (1070) is 60 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming University of Illinois Springfield students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Illinois Springfield students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than University of Illinois Springfield (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• University of Illinois Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $3,522 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($18,793 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($194 vs. $230).
• More University of Illinois Springfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 43%)

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.