FLC vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than FLC based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 3,544 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Fort Lewis College 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: Fort Lewis College 14:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

FLC vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than FLC ($15,347 vs. $17,114).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 7.9% lower than at Fort Lewis College ($12,604 vs. $13,680).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $490 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.3% higher at FLC than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $3,014 more per year; $21,526.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 51.9% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($10,038 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC or UTC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UTC and FLC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Fort Lewis College (1110) is the same as at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at FLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fort Lewis College 18/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UTC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at FLC (3.3).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 29.2% at UTC.

FLC vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC and UTC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Fort Lewis College's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $1,292 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More FLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.