Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville 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 Knoxville 18:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee 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 Tennessee ($15,336 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 0.4% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($13,302 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 21.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $2,436 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.5% higher at Tennessee than at Tennessee Technological University (about $17,680 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($11,434 vs. $10,458).

Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 110 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee 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).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($165 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.