UCCS vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

UCCS vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or UTC? 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 UCCS ($15,347 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 2.4% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($12,604 vs. $12,918).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $299 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at UCCS than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $5,824 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (92% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 35.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($10,038 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 10 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UCCS students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UCCS (3.36).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 29.2% at UTC.

UCCS vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and UTC? 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).

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $207 lower median loan debt than UCCS graduates ($20,792 vs. $20,999).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCCS graduates ($214 vs. $217).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.