University of West Alabama vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of West Alabama vs. Tennessee State University comparison
University of West Alabama Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Tennessee State University
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Overview

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Location Livingston, AL Nashville, TN
Setting Remote Rural Large City
Enrollment 5,860 9,218
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $20,484
Room & Board $7,820 $8,542
Avg Net Price $13,786 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 98%

Admission

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 -
Admitted 2,156 -
Acceptance Rate 68.9% Open
Enrolled % 14.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21
SAT Range 880/980
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 28% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $289

Diversity

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
% Men 25% 34%
% Women 75% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 45% 14%
% Black 40% 70%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
% In-State 81% 38%
% Out-of-State 13% 61%

Campus

University of West Alabama Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Tennessee State University is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (9,218 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Tennessee State University?

  • University of West Alabama is 27.7% more expensive to attend than Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $7,128.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.5% higher at Tennessee State University than University of West Alabama ($20,484.00 vs. $18,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tennessee State University than University of West Alabama ($11,986 vs. $13,786)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 9.2% lower than costs at Tennessee State University ($7,820 vs. $8,542)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Tennessee State University than University of West Alabama (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 86.4% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($17,315 vs. $9,291)

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Tennessee State University or University of West Alabama .

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)

University of West Alabama vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Tennessee State University and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is higher than University of West Alabama (36% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $100 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $38,400)
  • University of West Alabama students graduate with a $1,511 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($26,489 vs. $28,000)
  • University of West Alabama graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($273 vs. $289)
  • More University of West Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/