UTC vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

UTC vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or Tennessee Tech? 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 Technological University than UTC ($15,336 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 5.2% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,604 vs. $13,302).
• Tennessee Technological University is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $928 more per year; $11,376.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at UTC than at Tennessee Technological University (about $2,936 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,458 vs. $10,038).

UTC vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 70 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UTC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Tennessee Tech (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

UTC vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and Tennessee Tech? 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 Technological University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $4,792 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($165 vs. $214).
• More Tennessee Tech 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.