ASU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than ASU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

ASU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Tennessee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Tennessee ($14,978 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 3.7% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,868 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $6,233 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Tennessee than at Appalachian State University (about $8,044 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Appalachian State University (94% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 42.7% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($11,434 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Tennessee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 90 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

ASU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Tennessee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.