The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Nelson University

Deciding between The University of Tennessee Southern and Nelson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Tennessee Southern
Nelson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Pulaski, TN
  • Nelson University Waxahachie, TX
  • Setting
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Distant Town
  • Nelson University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 1,046
  • Nelson University 1,794
  • Type
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Private 4 Year
  • Nelson University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The University of Tennessee Southern #907
  • Nelson University #994
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The University of Tennessee Southern United Methodist
  • Nelson University Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Non-profit
  • Nelson University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The University of Tennessee Southern
  • Nelson University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,924
  • Nelson University $25,064
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,924
  • Nelson University $25,064
  • Room & Board
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $8,300
  • Nelson University $9,598
  • Average Net Price
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $14,546
  • Nelson University $22,359
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $10,358
  • Nelson University $12,075
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 99%
  • Nelson University 96%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Calculate
  • Nelson University Calculate
  • Applied
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 760
  • Nelson University 656
  • Admitted
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 659
  • Nelson University 584
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 86.7% Open
  • Nelson University 89%
  • Enrolled
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 26.1% Open
  • Nelson University 56.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 1010
  • Nelson University 990
  • Typical ACT score
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 21
  • Nelson University
  • Average High School GPA
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 3.17
  • Nelson University 3.19
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The University of Tennessee Southern B+
  • Nelson University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Very Easy
  • Nelson University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • The University of Tennessee Southern
  • Nelson University
  • ACT Range
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24
  • Nelson University
  • SAT Range
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110
  • Nelson University 890/1090
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Open admission
  • Nelson University Required
  • Application Deadline
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027
  • Nelson University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1
  • Nelson University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The University of Tennessee Southern
    • Business (18%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Nelson University
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (48%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Business (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 49%
  • Nelson University 37%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $34,900
  • Nelson University $36,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 43%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $22,315
  • Nelson University $26,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The University of Tennessee Southern $230
  • Nelson University $271

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 39%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • % Women
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 61%
  • Nelson University 50%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Low
  • Nelson University Medium
  • HBCU
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • Nelson University No
  • % White
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 73%
  • Nelson University 63%
  • % Asian
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • Nelson University 1%
  • % Black
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 11%
  • Nelson University 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 2%
  • Nelson University 21%
  • % Native American
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • Nelson University 2%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • Nelson University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 0%
  • Nelson University 2%
  • % International
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 5%
  • Nelson University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 7%
  • Nelson University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 80%
  • Nelson University 72%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The University of Tennessee Southern 12%
  • Nelson University 26%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Nelson University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • Nelson University No
  • Meal Plan
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Nelson University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Yes
  • Nelson University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • The University of Tennessee Southern No
  • Nelson University No
  • Learn More
  • The University of Tennessee Southern Details
  • Nelson University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN with Nelson University in Waxahachie, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nelson University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (1,794 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The University of Tennessee Southern is located in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
  • The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1; Nelson University 15:1.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The University of Tennessee Southern or Nelson 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than Nelson University ($14,546 vs. $22,359).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 13.5% lower than at Nelson University ($8,300 vs. $9,598).
  • Nelson University is 129.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $14,140 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $10,924.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 129.4% higher at Nelson University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $14,140 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $10,924.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Nelson University (99% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($12,075 vs. $10,358).

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

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

  • The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 20 points higher than at Nelson University (990).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110; Nelson University 890/1090.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission; Nelson University - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Nelson University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
  • Nelson University has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

The University of Tennessee Southern vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The University of Tennessee Southern and Nelson 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).

  • The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Nelson University's (37%).
  • Graduates from Nelson University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,900 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $3,935 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($22,315 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($230 vs. $271).
  • More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.