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Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, Tennessee 37303

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedHealth sciencesTight-knitCollege town

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private institution in Athens with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1051, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 832 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

44% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,989 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,879.

Established
1857
Motto
Lux et Veritas
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

59%Acceptance
1051SAT Avg
832Students
12:1Student:Faculty
44%Grad Rate
$45,989Earnings 10yr
$14,879Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate59.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1051

Reading & WritingMid: 505
470570
MathMid: 550
490530

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1723

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$29,264
Room & Board$9,416
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$36,828
Average Net Price$14,879
Median Debt at Graduation$20,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$212

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,734
$30–48K$11,881
$48–75K$14,610
$75–110K$17,049
$110K+$17,797

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

42.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

5

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (46)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

64%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
832
Gender Split
62% / 38%
Women / Men
First Generation
41%
Pell Grant Recipients
38%

Race & Ethnicity

White 75%
Black 6%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate43.6%
Freshman Retention63.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,987
10 Years$45,989

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#16
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#37
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Tennessee Wesleyan was founded in 1857 as "Athens Female College".
  • In 1866 the name was altered to "East Tennessee Wesleyan College", and in 1867 it became "East Tennessee Wesleyan University".
  • In 1889, it merged with Chattanooga University to form "U.
  • Seventeen years later (1906), it was renamed the "Athens School of the University of Chattanooga".

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from TN state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
118 mi(205 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
132 mi(229 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
212 mi(367 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta125 mi
BNA Nashville126 mi
BHM Birmingham179 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
New York, NY680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Hartford, CT777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Providence, RI835 mi · ~24h 7m drive
Albany, NY764 mi · ~22h 4m drive
Syracuse, NY692 mi · ~19h 59m drive
Rochester, NY650 mi · ~18h 47m drive
Buffalo, NY598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Philadelphia, PA602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA426 mi · ~12h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Newark, NJ674 mi · ~19h 28m drive
Washington, DC480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
Baltimore, MD512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Atlanta, GA118 mi · ~3h 25m drive
Charlotte, NC212 mi · ~6h 7m drive
Raleigh, NC335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Miami, FL718 mi · ~20h 45m drive
Orlando, FL513 mi · ~14h 49m drive
Tampa, FL533 mi · ~15h 24m drive
Nashville, TN132 mi · ~3h 49m drive
New Orleans, LA495 mi · ~14h 18m drive
Richmond, VA423 mi · ~12h 13m drive
Chicago, IL474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
Detroit, MI483 mi · ~13h 57m drive
Minneapolis, MN801 mi · ~23h 8m drive
St. Louis, MO379 mi · ~10h 57m drive
Kansas City, MO604 mi · ~17h 27m drive
Indianapolis, IN311 mi · ~8h 59m drive
Columbus, OH324 mi · ~9h 22m drive
Cleveland, OH447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
Milwaukee, WI554 mi · ~16h drive
Dallas, TX722 mi · ~20h 51m drive
Houston, TX739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
Austin, TX842 mi · ~24h 19m drive
San Antonio, TX910 mi · ~26h 17m drive
Los Angeles, CA1904 mi · ~55h drive
San Francisco, CA2090 mi · ~60h 23m drive
San Diego, CA1865 mi · ~53h 53m drive
Seattle, WA2099 mi · ~60h 38m drive
Portland, OR2096 mi · ~60h 33m drive
Denver, CO1153 mi · ~33h 19m drive
Phoenix, AZ1567 mi · ~45h 16m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1522 mi · ~43h 58m drive
Honolulu, HI4462 mi · ~128h 54m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Tennessee Wesleyan University Application Checklist

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