UTC vs. KSU

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

UTC vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or KSU? 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 KSU ($15,347 vs. $15,636).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 5.1% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($12,604 vs. $13,287).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 79.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $4,640 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $5,808.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at UTC than at Kennesaw State University (about $776 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga as at Kennesaw State University (92% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 22.1% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($10,038 vs. $8,223).

UTC vs. KSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is the same as at KSU (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at KSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; KSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at KSU (3.33).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than KSU (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 38% at KSU.

UTC vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and KSU? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $408 lower median loan debt than KSU graduates ($20,792 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KSU graduates ($214 vs. $219).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.