NC State vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC 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 NC State based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh 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: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

NC State vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Tennessee ($15,522 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 6.8% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,356 vs. $14,332).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 57% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $5,013 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Tennessee than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $409 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (94% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 2.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($11,675 vs. $11,434).

NC State vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 100 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming NC 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: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

NC State vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $900 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $782 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.