Ohio University vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio University Main Campus in Athens, 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 Ohio University based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 26,323 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio University Main Campus is located in Athens, OH (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Ohio University Main Campus 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: Ohio University Main Campus 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Ohio University vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio University 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 Ohio University ($21,648 vs. $21,907).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 5.7% lower than at Ohio University Main Campus ($13,356 vs. $14,162).
• Ohio University Main Campus is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $346 more per year; $14,158.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Tennessee than at Ohio University Main Campus (about $8,418 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $24,838.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Ohio University Main Campus as at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students ($11,434 vs. $9,422).

Ohio University vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ohio University 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 Ohio University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 100 points higher than at Ohio University (1190).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Ohio University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 1090/1290; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio University Main Campus 22/28; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio University - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Ohio University (3.59).
• Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (85%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at Ohio University vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Ohio University vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio University 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 University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Ohio University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Ohio University graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ohio University graduates ($206 vs. $211).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.