Florida State vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Florida 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: Florida State University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Florida State vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida State 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 Florida State University than Tennessee ($15,815 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 0.9% lower than at Florida State University ($13,356 vs. $13,474).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 144.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $8,156 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77% higher at Tennessee than at Florida State University (about $14,470 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Florida State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 23.2% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($11,434 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida State 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 Florida State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 50 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Florida State vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida State 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Florida State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Florida State graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,750).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida State graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.