
Pulaski, TNpublicutsouthern.edu
Admit rate has ranged 80%–99% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a small, accessible public university in Pulaski, TN, with an 87% acceptance rate and a focus on personalized education. Known for its tight-knit community and strong programs in business, biology, and parks/recreation, it offers a low-cost education with a net price of $6,789 after aid. While graduation rates lag (37% six-year rate), its median alumni salary of $34,798 one year post-graduation is competitive for the region.
Test scores required
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
UT Southern is highly accessible, with an 87% acceptance rate (Niche, US News). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 18-24 on the ACT or 945-1115 on the SAT (BigFuture). While test scores are required, the university emphasizes GPA: applicants with a 3.2+ GPA or top 10% class rank plus a 23+ ACT (or SAT equivalent) receive automatic admission (UT Southern Admissions). No early decision/action options are available (Niche).
UT Southern offers small classes (60% under 20 students) with a (US News). Its most specialized programs include (Data USA). The curriculum leans practical, with strengths in alongside traditional liberal arts like English and Religion (UT Southern Majors). The university markets itself as 'personalized' and 'supportive,' with a focus on undergraduate teaching over research (UT Southern Academics).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Life revolves around the Guthrie Student Life Center, which houses a commuter kitchen, study lounges, and outdoor basketball courts (UT Southern Student Life). The campus is residential but unpretentious, with no Greek life reported (US News Student Life). Social media highlights a strong regional identity (Facebook page features local events and athletics). Notably, UT Southern operates a campus food bank, signaling attention to student basic needs (UT Southern Student Life).
Graduation rates are a challenge: 37% six-year rate (Niche), with only 26% graduating in four years (US News). However, alumni earn $34,798 median salary one year out (Niche), rising to $36,151 at six years (US News)—comparable to regional peers. The 2016 cohort had a 30% graduation rate, below the 45% institutional goal (UT Southern Student Achievement PDF). Loan repayment rates are not publicly highlighted, suggesting debt management may be a concern.
UT Southern is regionally affordable, with a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $6,789 after aid (BigFuture). Merit scholarships range from $1,500 (Firehawk Scholar) to full tuition (Chancellor’s Scholar) for high-achieving students (UT Southern Financial Aid). The average aid package is $7,602 (BigFuture). Notably, the university provides a Net Price Calculator to estimate individualized costs (UT Southern Cost & Aid). No data is available on Pell Grant recipient outcomes.
UT Southern carves a niche as an accessible, low-cost option with hyper-local roots in rural Tennessee. Its 87% acceptance rate and sub-$7K net price make it a pragmatic choice for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and regional students (Niche, BigFuture). While graduation rates lag, its strong median earnings ($34K+ at one year) suggest vocational programs deliver ROI. The campus culture—from the food bank to the commuter kitchen—reflects a no-frills, student-centered ethos rare in public higher ed.