ONU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH 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 ONU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio Northern University is located in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio Northern University 13:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

ONU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ONU 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than ONU ($21,648 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 8.5% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($13,356 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 188.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $25,988 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at ONU than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $6,544 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 142.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($27,696 vs. $11,434).

ONU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ONU 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 ONU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Northern University (1290) is the same as at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Northern University 1175/1400; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Northern University 24/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ONU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at ONU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

ONU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ONU 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).

• Ohio Northern University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.