Tennessee Wesleyan University vs The University of the South
Tennessee Wesleyan University and The University of the South, both located in Tennessee, offer distinct educational experiences. Tennessee Wesleyan, a private Christian university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to The University of the South's selective admissions (33%). While Tennessee Wesleyan's student body is predominantly female (60%), The University of the South maintains a more balanced gender ratio. Both institutions excel in different areas: Tennessee Wesleyan is known for its strong nursing and business programs, while The University of the South is recognized for its liberal arts and sciences curriculum. With Tennessee Wesleyan's lower cost of attendance and The University of the South's higher graduation rate, prospective students are encouraged to explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university better aligns with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() The University of the South |
![]() Tennessee Wesleyan University |
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Overview |
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Location | Sewanee, Tennessee | Athens, Tennessee |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 90.0% | 69.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Methodism |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.3% | 59.6% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1200 - 1390 | 930 - 1180 |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | 18 - 23 |
Students submitting SAT score | 25.0% | 10.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 49.0% | 81.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,162 | 884 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,508 | 527 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 474 | 183 |
Yield rate | 18.9% | 34.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $66,480 | $39,490 |
Average net price | $29,626 | $15,072 |
Tuition | $49,146 | $25,340 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,314
Meal plan:
$6,798
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Room/dormitory:
$2,230
Meal plan:
$6,170
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $35,383 |
100.0%
Average amount $20,251 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
74.0%
Average amount $5,329 |
62.0%
Average amount $5,059 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
4.0%
Average amount $7,269 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,735
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
974
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Graduate students |
85
Men 58.8% Women 41.2% |
112
Men 23.2% Women 76.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 77.6% | N/A |
International students | 3.9% | 6.2% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,800 | 446 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee Georgia North Carolina Texas Alabama | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.2% | 51.7% |
Dropout rate | 1.9% | 35.4% |
Transferred out | 17.9% | 12.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Theological and Ministerial Studies (First Professional Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Security Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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