Tennessee vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 23,643 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Tennessee vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Tennessee ($15,169 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 8.4% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,356 vs. $14,582).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 36.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $3,708 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Tennessee than at West Virginia University (about $4,648 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville as at West Virginia University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($12,363 vs. $11,434).

Tennessee vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and Tennessee.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 170 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 23 at WVU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Tennessee students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Tennessee vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than West Virginia University's (57%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than WVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $4,001 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.