LSU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Louisiana 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: Louisiana State University 21:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

LSU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU 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 Louisiana State University than Tennessee ($21,430 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 11.8% lower than at Louisiana State University ($13,356 vs. $15,142).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $1,858 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Tennessee than at Louisiana State University (about $4,625 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Louisiana State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 23.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($14,094 vs. $11,434).

LSU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU 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 LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 30 points higher than at LSU (1260).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at LSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

LSU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU 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 Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $900 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($206 vs. $216).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.