Sewanee vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of the South in Sewanee, TN with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of the South is located in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of the South 9:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Sewanee vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sewanee or UTC? 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 Chattanooga than Sewanee ($15,347 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 21.4% lower than at The University of the South ($12,604 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 437.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $45,672 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203.2% higher at Sewanee than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $37,608 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 270.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($37,171 vs. $10,038).

Sewanee vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sewanee or UTC? 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 UTC and Sewanee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 220 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 1260/1390; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of the South 27/31; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sewanee - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Sewanee vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Sewanee vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sewanee and UTC? 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 the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $1,792 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($196 vs. $214).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 56%)

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.