OSU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR 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 OSU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 37,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Oregon 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: Oregon State University 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

OSU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU 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 OSU ($21,648 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 18.5% lower than at Oregon State University ($13,356 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $588 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at OSU than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $4,934 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Oregon State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($11,434 vs. $11,230).

OSU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OSU 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 OSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 20 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at OSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 1140/1400; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 24/31; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OSU - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at OSU (3.61).
• OSU has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OSU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

OSU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OSU 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($206 vs. $242).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.