Tennessee Wesleyan Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private research university in Athens, Tennessee, enrolling about 846 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 68.85% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,989 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $30,814
- 2024 Average Net Price: $14,836 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 68.85% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 846 92.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 47.59%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 41.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 7.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 5.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1090
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,049
- Applicants (IPEDS): 988
- Room & Board: $9,458 annual estimate
Tennessee Wesleyan University: what the data shows
Common questions about Tennessee Wesleyan University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is located in Athens, TN (ZIP 37303).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University public or private?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Tennessee Wesleyan University cost?
Published tuition: $30,814.
Average net price after aid: $14,836.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,609 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,088 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,647 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,043 |
| $110,001+ | $18,980 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $123,256.
How hard is it to get into Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Admission rate: 68.85%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1090 and midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Total enrollment: 846 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,049 students.
Graduate enrollment: 280 students.
About 93% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee Wesleyan University?
150%-time completion rate: 47.59%.
First-year retention: 72.0%.
What do graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings: $45,987 six years after entry; $45,989 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,000.
39.21% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Tennessee Wesleyan University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (63 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (41 completions)
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist (25 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (23 completions)
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist (18 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (11 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (11 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (10 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (10 completions)
- Accounting (10 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 68.85%; completion rate 47.59%; median earnings $45,989 at 10 years; net price $14,836. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$30,814
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Tennessee Wesleyan University was $30,814.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$14,836
2024 Value
In 2024 Tennessee Wesleyan University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,836.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$59,344 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$14,836 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$123,256 4-Year Tuition
$9,458 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,400 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$41,672 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$166,688 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
39.21% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
52.16% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Tennessee Wesleyan University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Tennessee Wesleyan University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $21,800 | $21,800 | $12,576 |
| 2014 | $22,300 | $22,300 | $12,689 |
| 2015 | $22,900 | $22,900 | $12,326 |
| 2016 | $23,000 | $23,000 | $10,260 |
| 2017 | $23,800 | $23,800 | $5,815 |
| 2018 | $24,300 | $24,300 | $13,097 |
| 2019 | $25,150 | $25,150 | $13,636 |
| 2020 | $25,850 | $25,850 | $11,776 |
| 2021 | $26,590 | $26,590 | $14,333 |
| 2022 | $27,350 | $27,350 | $14,124 |
| 2023 | $29,264 | $29,264 | $14,879 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
68.85% Acceptance Rate
988 Total Applicants
587 Students Admitted
168 First-Time Students Enrolled
28.62% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1090
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Tennessee Wesleyan University reported total enrollment of about 846 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 36% male and 64% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.0%), Non-Resident Alien (7.0%), and Hispanic or Latino (6.5%). About 39.21% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 41.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
92.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2024 is 846 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,049 students. Graduate enrollment is about 280 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
35.29% 100% Completion Time
47.59% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 35.29% of students graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 21% male / 79% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 41% male / 59% female
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist: 32% male / 68% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Return on Investment
$20,000 Median Student Debt
$45,989 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
43.49% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
674.96% Return on Investment
4.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 43 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 63 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 41 completions
3. Occupational Therapy/Therapist: 25 completions
4. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 23 completions
5. Dental Hygiene/Hygienist: 18 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 11 completions
7. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 11 completions
8. Special Education and Teaching, General: 10 completions
9. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 10 completions
Most popular programs at Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Tennessee Wesleyan University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $5,870
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,980
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private non-profit institution located in Athens, TN, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Occupational Therapy/Therapist. Enrollment is approximately 846 students. Student body composition includes White (74.0%), Non-Resident Alien (7.0%), Hispanic or Latino (6.5%). The admission rate is 68.85%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1090. The 150%-time completion rate is 47.59%. Approximately 39.21% of students receive Pell Grants. About 41.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Athens, TN 37303
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Tennessee Wesleyan University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tennessee Wesleyan University located?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is located in Athens, TN.
What is Tennessee Wesleyan University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Tennessee Wesleyan University is 68.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 988 applicants and 587 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Tennessee Wesleyan University cost?
Reported tuition is $30,814 and average net price is $14,836 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,458 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Tennessee Wesleyan University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,049 students, White (74.0%), Non-Resident Alien (7.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Tennessee Wesleyan University?
About 41.5% of students at Tennessee Wesleyan University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Tennessee Wesleyan University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Tennessee Wesleyan University reports midpoint SAT about 1090 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan University earn?
Median earnings are $45,987 six years after entry and $45,989 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee Wesleyan University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 47.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Tennessee Wesleyan University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,000.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University public or private?
Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private nonprofit institution located in Athens, TN.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University an HBCU?
No. Tennessee Wesleyan University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Tennessee Wesleyan University a tribal college?
No. Tennessee Wesleyan University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Tennessee college costs
- Tennessee colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Tennessee
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.