Western Illinois University vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Western Illinois University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University 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 Western Illinois University than Tennessee State University ($14,208 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 1.5% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,150 vs. $11,320).
• Western Illinois University is 77.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $6,648 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.9% higher at Tennessee State University than at Western Illinois University (about $7,152 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee State University than at Western Illinois University (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($14,994 vs. $9,661).

Western Illinois University vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University 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 Western Illinois University.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Illinois University (990) is 20 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 880/1090; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Illinois University 18/24; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Illinois University - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Western Illinois University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Illinois University 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Western Illinois University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $3,296 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($24,704 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($255 vs. $289).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.