Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. UTC

Deciding between Tennessee Wesleyan University and The University of Tennessee Chattanooga? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, TN
  • UTC Chattanooga, TN
  • Setting
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Distant Town
  • UTC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 1,198
  • UTC 11,775
  • Type
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • UTC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University #762
  • UTC #791
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • UTC -
  • Status
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • UTC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University
  • UTC
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $30,814
  • UTC $10,448
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $30,814
  • UTC $18,512
  • Room & Board
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $9,458
  • UTC $12,604
  • Average Net Price
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $15,125
  • UTC $15,347
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $24,692
  • UTC $10,038
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 100%
  • UTC 92%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 902
  • UTC 10,494
  • Admitted
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 621
  • UTC 8,510
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 68.8%
  • UTC 81.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 30.3%
  • UTC 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 1030
  • UTC 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 20
  • UTC 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 3.5
  • UTC 3.61
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University A-
  • UTC A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Extremely Easy
  • UTC Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Low
  • UTC
  • ACT Range
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23
  • UTC 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100
  • UTC 1013/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Test optional
  • UTC Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University
  • UTC May 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1
  • UTC 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University
    • Business (25%)
    • Health Professions (24%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • UTC
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 44%
  • UTC 39%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $42,700
  • UTC $40,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 61%
  • UTC 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $18,750
  • UTC $20,792
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University $193
  • UTC $214
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 37%
  • UTC 41%
  • % Women
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 63%
  • UTC 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Low
  • UTC Low
  • HBCU
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University No
  • UTC No
  • % White
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 78%
  • UTC 75%
  • % Asian
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 1%
  • UTC 2%
  • % Black
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 8%
  • UTC 11%
  • % Hispanic
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 3%
  • UTC 3%
  • % Native American
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 0%
  • UTC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 0%
  • UTC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 2%
  • UTC 7%
  • % International
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 4%
  • UTC 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 4%
  • UTC 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 86%
  • UTC 89%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University 8%
  • UTC 10%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Yes
  • UTC Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University No
  • UTC No
  • Meal Plan
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University Yes
  • UTC Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University No
  • UTC No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University No
  • UTC Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,198 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee Wesleyan University 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University than UTC ($15,125 vs. $15,347).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 25% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($9,458 vs. $12,604).
  • Tennessee Wesleyan University is 194.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $20,366 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $10,448.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 66.5% higher at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $12,302 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $18,512.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students is 146% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($24,692 vs. $10,038).

Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee Wesleyan University 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 Tennessee Wesleyan University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 80 points higher than at Tennessee Wesleyan University (1030).
  • Incoming UTC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Tennessee Wesleyan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tennessee Wesleyan University 17/23; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional; UTC - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Tennessee Wesleyan University (3.5).
  • UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Tennessee Wesleyan University (68.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Tennessee Wesleyan University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee Wesleyan University 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).

  • Tennessee Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
  • Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $2,042 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,792).
  • Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($193 vs. $214).
  • More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.