UTC vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (13,575 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); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

UTC vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($15,347 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 42.8% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($12,604 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 546% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $57,050 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 264.6% higher at Vanderbilt than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $48,986 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Vanderbilt University (92% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 541.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($64,404 vs. $10,038).

UTC vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 430 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

UTC vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and Vanderbilt? 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).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $42,500 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $6,792 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($144 vs. $214).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.