University of West Alabama vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, 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 West Alabama is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of West 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 West Alabama 19:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, University of West 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 University of West Alabama than The University of Tennessee Southern ($13,954 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 0.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Southern ($8,230 vs. $8,300).
• University of West Alabama is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $66 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.9% higher at University of West Alabama than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $9,166 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of West Alabama (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 14.6% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($10,358 vs. $9,037).

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

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 20 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of West 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 West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from University of West Alabama earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $4,174 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($22,315 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($230 vs. $273).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 36%)

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.