Wartburg College vs. Carson-Newman University

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carson Newman University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (2,669 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Carson Newman University is in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting).
• Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wartburg College 13:1; Carson Newman University 12:1.

Wartburg College vs. Carson-Newman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg College or Carson-Newman 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 Carson Newman University than Wartburg College ($20,895 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 0.4% lower than at Carson Newman University ($11,750 vs. $11,800).
• Carson Newman University is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wartburg College (about $8,450 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at Carson-Newman University than at Wartburg College (about $8,450 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 43.6% larger than aid received by Carson Newman University students ($40,336 vs. $28,090).

Wartburg College vs. Carson-Newman University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg College or Carson-Newman 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 Carson-Newman University and Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carson Newman University (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Carson Newman University 955/1215.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Carson Newman University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; Carson-Newman University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carson-Newman University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 16.8% at Carson-Newman University.

Wartburg College vs. Carson-Newman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg College and Carson-Newman 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Carson Newman University's (45%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Carson-Newman University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carson Newman University graduates have a $3,120 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($23,880 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carson-Newman University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carson-Newman University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 65%)

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.