UTC vs. Union University

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Union University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 2,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Union University is in Jackson, TN (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Union University 9:1.

UTC vs. Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or Union University? 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 Union University ($15,347 vs. $28,452).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 1.4% lower than at Union University ($12,604 vs. $12,780).
• Union University is 283.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $29,577 more per year; $40,025.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.2% higher at Union University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $21,513 more per year; $40,025.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union University students is 200.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($30,120 vs. $10,038).

UTC vs. Union University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union University (1280) is 170 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Union University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Union University 1160/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Union University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; Union University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Union University (60.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 30.1% at Union University.

UTC vs. Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and Union University? 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).

• Union University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Union University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $4,048 lower median loan debt than Union University graduates ($20,792 vs. $24,840).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union University graduates ($214 vs. $256).
• More Union University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.