Carson-Newman University vs. Tennessee

Deciding between Carson Newman University and The University of Tennessee Knoxville? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN
  • Tennessee Knoxville, TN
  • Setting
  • Carson-Newman University Small Suburban
  • Tennessee Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carson-Newman University 2,669
  • Tennessee 38,728
  • Type
  • Carson-Newman University Private 4 Year
  • Tennessee Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Carson-Newman University #829
  • Tennessee #226
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Carson-Newman University Baptist
  • Tennessee -
  • Status
  • Carson-Newman University Non-profit
  • Tennessee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Tennessee
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Carson-Newman University $34,700
  • Tennessee $13,812
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Carson-Newman University $34,700
  • Tennessee $33,256
  • Room & Board
  • Carson-Newman University $11,800
  • Tennessee $13,356
  • Average Net Price
  • Carson-Newman University $20,895
  • Tennessee $21,648
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Carson-Newman University $28,090
  • Tennessee $11,434
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Carson-Newman University 100%
  • Tennessee 94%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Carson-Newman University 2,460
  • Tennessee 59,764
  • Admitted
  • Carson-Newman University 2,225
  • Tennessee 24,863
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Carson-Newman University 90.4%
  • Tennessee 41.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Carson-Newman University 16.8%
  • Tennessee 27.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carson-Newman University 1090
  • Tennessee 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carson-Newman University 22
  • Tennessee 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Carson-Newman University 3.6
  • Tennessee 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Carson-Newman University A-
  • Tennessee A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Carson-Newman University Easy
  • Tennessee Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Tennessee Low
  • ACT Range
  • Carson-Newman University 19/25
  • Tennessee 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Carson-Newman University 955/1215
  • Tennessee 1200/1370
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Carson-Newman University Test optional
  • Tennessee Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Carson-Newman University
  • Tennessee
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Carson-Newman University 12:1
  • Tennessee 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Carson-Newman University
    • Education (25%)
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (5%)
  • Tennessee
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Carson-Newman University 45%
  • Tennessee 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Carson-Newman University $41,700
  • Tennessee $56,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Carson-Newman University 65%
  • Tennessee 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Carson-Newman University $23,880
  • Tennessee $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Carson-Newman University $246
  • Tennessee $206
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Carson-Newman University 38%
  • Tennessee 46%
  • % Women
  • Carson-Newman University 62%
  • Tennessee 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Carson-Newman University Very Low
  • Tennessee Low
  • HBCU
  • Carson-Newman University No
  • Tennessee No
  • % White
  • Carson-Newman University 83%
  • Tennessee 79%
  • % Asian
  • Carson-Newman University 1%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Black
  • Carson-Newman University 8%
  • Tennessee 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Carson-Newman University 2%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Native American
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Carson-Newman University 2%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % International
  • Carson-Newman University 3%
  • Tennessee 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Carson-Newman University 0%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Carson-Newman University 73%
  • Tennessee 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Carson-Newman University 27%
  • Tennessee 35%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Carson-Newman University No
  • Tennessee No
  • Meal Plan
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Tennessee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Carson-Newman University Yes
  • Tennessee No

Comparable Facts

Compare Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN 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 Carson-Newman University based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 2,669 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carson Newman University is located in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carson Newman University 12:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Carson-Newman University vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carson-Newman University 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 Carson Newman University than Tennessee ($20,895 vs. $21,648).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carson Newman University are 11.7% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($11,800 vs. $13,356).
  • Carson Newman University is 151.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $20,888 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $13,812.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Carson-Newman University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $1,444 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $33,256.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman University students is 145.7% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($28,090 vs. $11,434).

Carson-Newman University vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carson-Newman University 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 Carson-Newman University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 200 points higher than at Carson-Newman University (1090).
  • Incoming Tennessee students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carson Newman University 955/1215; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carson Newman University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carson-Newman University - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
  • Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Carson-Newman University (3.6).
  • Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at Carson-Newman University vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Carson-Newman University vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carson-Newman University 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).

  • The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Carson Newman University's (45%).
  • Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Carson-Newman University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,880 lower median loan debt than Carson-Newman University graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,880).
  • Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carson-Newman University graduates ($206 vs. $246).
  • More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carson-Newman University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.