Central College vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Central College vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than Central College ($14,546 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 31.2% lower than at Central College ($8,300 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 92.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,064 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.1% higher at Central College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $10,064 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 34.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($13,925 vs. $10,358).

Central College vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Central College.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Central College vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $4,685 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,315 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 43%)

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.