UTC vs. AU

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,476 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Averett University 16:1.

UTC vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or AU? 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 AU ($15,347 vs. $23,471).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 13.3% lower than at Averett University ($12,604 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 269% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $28,102 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.2% higher at AU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $20,038 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Averett University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 198.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($29,998 vs. $10,038).

UTC vs. AU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 80 points higher than at AU (1030).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Averett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; AU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at AU (3.07).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 18.1% at AU.

UTC vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and AU? 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).

• Averett University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $4,208 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,792 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($214 vs. $258).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.