Western New Mexico University vs. Tennessee State University

Should I go to Western New Mexico University or Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western New Mexico University 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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Western New Mexico University vs. Tennessee State University comparison
Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Tennessee State University
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Overview

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
Location Silver City, NM Nashville, TN
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 3,570 8,198
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #998
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wnmu.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $4,914 $7,320
Tuition (Out of State) $11,400 $21,036
Room & Board $10,940 $10,120
Avg Net Price $8,712 $9,231
Avg Grant Aid $11,879 $15,589
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 12,890
Admitted - 11,940
Acceptance Rate Open 92.6%Open
Enrolled % Open 14.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 2.5 3.22
Typical High School Grades C+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 856/1068
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 12, 2026

Academics

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 13% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,600 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 34% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,686 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $213 $289

Diversity

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
% Men 6% 6%
% Women 21% 11%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 29% 14%
% Black 7% 70%
% Hispanic 51% 1%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 11%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Western New Mexico University Tennessee State University
% In-State 75% 32%
% Out-of-State 23% 65%

Campus

Western New Mexico University 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 Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (8,198 students vs. 3,570 students)

Western New Mexico University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New Mexico University or Tennessee State University?

  • Tennessee State University is 49% more expensive to attend than Western New Mexico University for in-state tuition ($7,320.00 vs. $4,914.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 84.5% higher at Tennessee State University than Western New Mexico University ($21,036.00 vs. $11,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western New Mexico University than Tennessee State University ($8,712 vs. $9,231)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 8.1% lower than costs at Western New Mexico University ($10,120 vs. $10,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western New Mexico University than Tennessee State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 31.2% larger than aid received Western New Mexico University ($15,589 vs. $11,879)

Which college is harder to get into, Western New Mexico University 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 Western New Mexico University .

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5)

Western New Mexico University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western New Mexico University 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 Western New Mexico University.

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is higher than Western New Mexico University (36% vs. 13%)
  • Graduates from Tennessee State University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $35,600)
  • Western New Mexico University students graduate with a $7,314 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($20,686 vs. $28,000)
  • Western New Mexico University graduates are paying $76 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($213 vs. $289)
  • More Western New Mexico University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 29%)

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