OWU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, 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 OWU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio Wesleyan University is located in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Ohio Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University 12:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

OWU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OWU 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 OWU ($21,648 vs. $23,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 9% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($13,356 vs. $14,684).
• Ohio Wesleyan University is 290.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $40,076 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62% higher at OWU than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $20,632 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 297.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($45,481 vs. $11,434).

OWU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OWU 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 OWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 60 points higher than at OWU (1230).
• Incoming OWU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Tennessee (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OWU - Test-free; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: OWU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at OWU (3.54).
• OWU has a higher acceptance rate (55.6%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at OWU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

OWU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OWU 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 Ohio Wesleyan University's (61%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than OWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $49,600), 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 OWU graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OWU graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.