T

Tennessee Wesleyan University

PrivateTown: Distant

About Tennessee Wesleyan University

Overview, location, and what makes it stand out

Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private university in Athens, TN. It has a 60.7% acceptance rate and a 50% graduation rate, serving approximately 906 students.

Founded

1857

Location

Athens, Tennessee

Students

1,126

Institution

Private

Known For

NursingBusinessKinesiology

Key Stats

A quick snapshot of what matters most

Acceptance Rate

68.9%

Moderately selective

Graduation Rate

47.6%

Below national average

Tuition

$30,814

Per year

Avg Net Price

$14,836

After financial aid

SAT Average

1090

Out of 1600

Median Earnings

$45,989

10 years after enrollment

Admissions

How competitive is getting in?

Selectivity

Highly CompetitiveOpen Admission
68.9%

Selective

68.9 out of 100 applicants get in

How to Apply

Test Policy

Test Optional

Application Fee

Free

Early

N/A

Deadline

Rolling

Tennessee Wesleyan University accepts 68.9% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.

SAT Scores

1090/ 1600

850760670580490400
490
Math: 490
470
R&W: 470
25th
530
Math: 530
570
R&W: 570
75th
Math
Reading & Writing

ACT Scores

21/ 36

393429241914
19
25th: 19
25th
21
Avg: 21
Avg
23
75th: 23
75th
25th Percentile
Average
75th Percentile

Academics

How strong is the academic experience?

Student Success

Low GraduationHigh Graduation
47.6%

Below Average

47.6% complete their degree within six years

Retention

72%

4-Year Grad

44%

6-Year Grad

52%

Teaching Quality

10:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Full-Time

100%

$/Student

$8.0K

Class Size

Small

The 44% graduation rate is below average, but 72% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.

Tuition & Costs

What will you actually pay?

Tuition & Fees

$30,814

Annual Tuition

Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals

Room & Board

$9,458

Books & Supplies

$1,400

Total Cost of Attendance

$39,440

After Financial Aid

$14,836

Average Net Price

Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships

Net Price (family income <$30K)

$11,609

Receive Grants

39.2%

Take Loans

52.2%

Don't let the $30,814 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $14,836 after financial aid, a 52% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $11,609.

Financial Aid

Who gets aid and what happens after

Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Tennessee Wesleyan University fund their education.

While in School

39.2%

Get Grants

Free money

52.2%

Take Loans

Must repay

$39,880

Median Family Income

After Graduation

$20,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Total federal loan balance when students graduate

$212/mo

Monthly Payment

0%

Low

Default Rate

Students typically graduate with $20,000 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.

Student Body

Diversity, gender, and enrollment

From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Gender

63.8%

Female

/

36%

Male

Female to Male Ratio

Race & Ethnicity

74%
7%
6.5%
4.9%
2.6%
1.2%
White
International
Hispanic
Black
Multiracial
Asian

Enrollment

846

Undergraduate Students

Student Profile

280

Graduates

41.5%

First-Gen

23 yrs

Avg Age

13.1%

Age 25+

Women make up the majority at 64% of the student body. 41.5% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 7% international students add diversity to the campus.

Campus Life

What it's like to be a student here

Campus Setting

RuralCity
Town: Distant

Town: Distant

Campus Quick Facts

846

Students

private

Institution

Small

Campus Size

Baccalaureate

Classification

What This College Offers

Semester calendar

Study Abroad

Yes

AP Credit

Yes

Teacher Cert

Yes

ROTC

No

Evening College

Yes

Online Programs

Yes

Job Placement

No

Career Counseling

Yes

Sports & Athletics

How seriously this college takes sport

Tennessee Wesleyan University fields 10 varsity teams with 431 student athletes, about 51% of the student body.

Division

NAIA

Division I

Conference

Appalachian

The league its teams compete in

Varsity Sports

10

Biggest: Soccer

Student Athletes

431

51% of the student body

Athletes by Gender

58% / 42%

248

Men

/

183

Women

8

Men's Teams

9

Women's Teams

Biggest Teams

MenWomen
95
Soccer
80
Track & XC
50
Baseball
45
Basketball
40
Lacrosse

Every Varsity Team

Soccer95Track & Cross Country80Baseball50Basketball45Lacrosse40Tennis32Softball26Bowling25Golf20Volleyball18

After Graduation

What can you earn with this degree?

How much do graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.

Earnings Trajectory

$45,989

Median Earnings · 10 Years After

$46K
6yr
$39K
8yr
$46K
10yr

Popular Programs

Top 6

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$71K

59 grads

4yr Earnings

Business Administration, Management and Operations

$59K

50 grads

1yr Earnings

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

$37K

25 grads

4yr Earnings

Marketing

$62K

23 grads

4yr Earnings

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

17 grads

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

$47K

14 grads

4yr Earnings

Graduates earn about $46K six years out, growing to $46K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tennessee Wesleyan University

What is the acceptance rate at Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 68.9%. Tennessee Wesleyan University accepts 68.9% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.
How much does Tennessee Wesleyan University cost?
Tuition at Tennessee Wesleyan University is $30,814 for in-state students and $30,814 for out-of-state students. Don't let the $30,814 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $14,836 after financial aid, a 52% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $11,609.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University has a graduation rate of 47.6%. The 44% graduation rate is below average, but 72% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
How much do Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates earn?
The median earnings for Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates is $45,989 ten years after enrollment. Graduates earn about $46K six years out, growing to $46K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.

Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.