Eastern vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky 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: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Eastern vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than UTC ($12,279 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 2.7% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,268 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $128 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Eastern than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $2,718 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 14.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($11,468 vs. $10,038).

Eastern vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 130 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Eastern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Eastern vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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).

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $2,903 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($20,792 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($214 vs. $245).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 49%)

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.