UTC vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (38,728 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); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UTC vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($15,347 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 5.6% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,604 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $3,364 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Tennessee than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $14,744 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 13.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($11,434 vs. $10,038).

UTC vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 180 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UTC vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $792 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($206 vs. $214).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.