ASU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ASU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or UTC? 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 UTC ($14,978 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 2.1% lower than at Appalachian State University ($12,604 vs. $12,868).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 37.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $2,869 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at ASU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $6,700 more per year; $25,212.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Appalachian State University (92% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,038 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or UTC? 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 UTC and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 90 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming ASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UTC (3.61).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

ASU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and UTC? 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 Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $292 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($211 vs. $214).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

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.