Western Illinois University vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 6,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 1.5% lower than at Western Illinois University ($11,150 vs. $11,320).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.9% higher at Tennessee State University than at Western Illinois University (about $7,152 more per year; $22,416 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee State University than at Western Illinois University (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($14,994 vs. $9,661).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Western Illinois University than at Tennessee State University (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, open admission at Tennessee State University.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have a $3,296 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($24,704 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Illinois University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($255 vs. $289).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 29%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.