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Tennessee Wesleyan University vs Tennessee State University

Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private university in Athens, TN. Tennessee State University is a public university in Nashville, TN. Tennessee Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants and Tennessee State University about 70%, making Tennessee Wesleyan University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,836 a year at Tennessee Wesleyan University after aid, and about $15,796 at Tennessee State University. About 46% of students graduate at Tennessee Wesleyan University, compared with 33% at Tennessee State University. Ten years after enrolling, Tennessee Wesleyan University alumni earn a median of about $45,989, against $42,730 for Tennessee State University.

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN · Private

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Athens, TN
Nashville, TN
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
846
4,848
Acceptance rate
69%
70%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.31–3.81
SAT (middle 50%)
960–1100
880–1050
ACT (middle 50%)
19–23
16–21
Test policy
Considered
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,836
$15,796
Full cost / yr
$39,440
$25,637
In-state tuition
$30,814
$8,616
Out-of-state tuition
$30,814
$22,416
Application fee
Not reported
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$11,609
$15,005
$30k - $48k
$11,088
$15,840
$48k - $75k
$12,647
$15,579
$75k - $110k
$16,043
$20,624
Over $110k
$18,980
$20,099
Outcomes
Graduation rate
46%
33%
Freshman retention
72%
34%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,987
$34,160
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,989
$42,730
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
39%
51%
First-generation students
41%
37%
International students
7%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Aug 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University harder to get into?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is harder to get into. It admits about 69% of applicants, compared with 70% at Tennessee State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,836 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,796 at Tennessee State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Tennessee Wesleyan University and Tennessee State University?
Before aid, Tennessee State University costs about $25,637 a year and Tennessee Wesleyan University about $39,440. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,609 there, against about $15,005 at Tennessee State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University?
Tennessee State University is the larger of the two, with about 4,848 undergraduates against 846 at Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Does Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University have a better graduation rate?
Tennessee Wesleyan University has the higher graduation rate, at about 46% against 33% at Tennessee State University.
Do graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan University or Tennessee State University earn more?
Tennessee Wesleyan University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,989 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,730 for Tennessee State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Tennessee Wesleyan University and Tennessee State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Tennessee Wesleyan University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Tennessee State University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Tennessee Wesleyan University and Tennessee State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 960–1100 at Tennessee Wesleyan University and 880–1050 at Tennessee State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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