University of South Alabama vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Alabama is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (14,003 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama 19:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

University of South Alabama vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than University of South Alabama ($14,546 vs. $16,074).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 27% lower than at University of South Alabama ($8,300 vs. $11,366).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Alabama (about $808 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $10,116.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.8% higher at University of South Alabama than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $8,168 more per year; $19,092.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of South Alabama (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 11% larger than aid received by University of South Alabama students ($10,358 vs. $9,329).

University of South Alabama vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Alabama (1080) is 70 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 970/1190; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 20/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Alabama - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) 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 South Alabama (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at University of South Alabama vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

University of South Alabama vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Alabama 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of South Alabama's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Alabama earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $2,185 lower median loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates ($22,315 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Alabama graduates ($230 vs. $253).
• More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.