Arkansas vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR 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 Arkansas based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 33,610 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arkansas 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: University of Arkansas 20:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Arkansas vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas than Tennessee ($18,408 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 6.2% lower than at University of Arkansas ($13,356 vs. $14,244).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 36.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $3,708 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Tennessee than at University of Arkansas (about $3,290 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $29,966.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Arkansas (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 29.9% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($11,434 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 160 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Arkansas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Arkansas vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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 University of Arkansas's (59%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Arkansas graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.