Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) vs The University of the South
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and The University of the South (Sewanee) are two distinct institutions of higher learning located in Tennessee, each offering unique educational experiences. MTSU, a public university in Murfreesboro, boasts a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, including popular majors in business, education, and nursing. Sewanee, a private liberal arts college in Sewanee, offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes and a focus on the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. While both universities have strong academic reputations, MTSU has a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while Sewanee has a higher graduation rate and a more selective admissions process. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Middle Tennessee State University |
![]() The University of the South |
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Overview |
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Location | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Sewanee, Tennessee |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 90.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 68.4% | 60.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | 1010 - 1210 | 1200 - 1390 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 92.0% | 49.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,244 | 4,162 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,691 | 2,508 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,752 | 474 |
Yield rate | 35.8% | 18.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,554
Out of state:
$43,586
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$66,480 |
Average net price | $12,617 | $29,626 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,344
Out of state:
$26,376
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$49,146 |
Room & board | $9,576 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,314
Meal plan:
$6,798
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $8,747 |
95.0%
Average amount $35,383 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $4,835 |
74.0%
Average amount $5,329 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $12,638 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,603
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
1,735
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
2,965
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
85
Men 58.8% Women 41.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 77.6% |
International students | 2.4% | 3.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 2,518 | 1,800 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Tennessee Georgia North Carolina Texas Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 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 | 53.7% | 80.2% |
Dropout rate | 14.7% | 1.9% |
Transferred out | 28.5% | 17.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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