Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee

Deciding between Middle Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee Knoxville? 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.

Middle Tennessee State University
The University of Tennessee Knoxville

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
  • Tennessee Knoxville, TN
  • Setting
  • Middle Tennessee State University Midsize City
  • Tennessee Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20,488
  • Tennessee 38,728
  • Type
  • Middle Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • Tennessee Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Middle Tennessee State University #664
  • Tennessee #226
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Middle Tennessee State University -
  • Tennessee -
  • Status
  • Middle Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Tennessee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • Tennessee
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,266
  • Tennessee $13,812
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Middle Tennessee State University $31,574
  • Tennessee $33,256
  • Room & Board
  • Middle Tennessee State University $12,242
  • Tennessee $13,356
  • Average Net Price
  • Middle Tennessee State University $13,859
  • Tennessee $21,648
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Middle Tennessee State University $10,665
  • Tennessee $11,434
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Middle Tennessee State University 94%
  • Tennessee 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Middle Tennessee State University 14,989
  • Tennessee 59,764
  • Admitted
  • Middle Tennessee State University 10,356
  • Tennessee 24,863
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Middle Tennessee State University 69.1%
  • Tennessee 41.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Middle Tennessee State University 30.4%
  • Tennessee 27.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1120
  • Tennessee 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Middle Tennessee State University 23
  • Tennessee 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3.64
  • Tennessee 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Middle Tennessee State University B+
  • Tennessee B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Middle Tennessee State University Moderate
  • Tennessee Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Middle Tennessee State University Low
  • Tennessee Low
  • ACT Range
  • Middle Tennessee State University 20/26
  • Tennessee 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230
  • Tennessee 1200/1370
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Middle Tennessee State University Required to be considered for admission
  • Tennessee Required to be considered for admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027
  • Tennessee
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Middle Tennessee State University 17:1
  • Tennessee 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Business (17%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Tennessee
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Middle Tennessee State University 45%
  • Tennessee 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Middle Tennessee State University $42,300
  • Tennessee $56,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Middle Tennessee State University 50%
  • Tennessee 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Middle Tennessee State University $21,758
  • Tennessee $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Middle Tennessee State University $224
  • Tennessee $206
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Middle Tennessee State University 36%
  • Tennessee 44%
  • % Women
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • Tennessee 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Middle Tennessee State University Medium
  • Tennessee Low
  • HBCU
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • Tennessee No
  • % White
  • Middle Tennessee State University 64%
  • Tennessee 79%
  • % Asian
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Black
  • Middle Tennessee State University 22%
  • Tennessee 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Middle Tennessee State University 4%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Native American
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % International
  • Middle Tennessee State University 3%
  • Tennessee 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Middle Tennessee State University 0%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Middle Tennessee State University 90%
  • Tennessee 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Middle Tennessee State University 8%
  • Tennessee 35%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Middle Tennessee State University No
  • Tennessee No
  • Meal Plan
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Tennessee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Middle Tennessee State University Yes
  • Tennessee No
  • Learn More
  • Middle Tennessee State University Details
  • Tennessee Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Middle Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 20,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Middle Tennessee State University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Middle Tennessee State University or Tennessee? 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 Middle Tennessee State University than Tennessee ($13,859 vs. $21,648).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 8.3% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,242 vs. $13,356).
  • The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $3,546 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,266.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Tennessee than at Middle Tennessee State University (about $1,682 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $31,574.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University as at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (94% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($11,434 vs. $10,665).

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Middle Tennessee State University or Tennessee? 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 and Middle Tennessee State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 170 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
  • Incoming Tennessee students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Middle Tennessee State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Middle Tennessee State University 20/26; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Middle Tennessee State University - Required to be considered for admission; Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64).
  • Middle Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee State University vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee? 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 Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Middle Tennessee State University's (45%).
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,758 lower median loan debt than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,758).
  • Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($206 vs. $224).
  • More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 50%)

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.