Blackburn College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Wesleyan University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,198 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University than Blackburn College ($15,125 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 4.6% lower than at Blackburn College ($9,458 vs. $9,915).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $2,665 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.5% higher at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at Blackburn College (about $2,665 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($24,692 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030) is 20 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Tennessee Wesleyan University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (68.8%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Blackburn College vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Tennessee Wesleyan 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Tennessee Wesleyan University's (44%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($193 vs. $268).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

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.