University of Dayton vs. Tennessee

Deciding between University of Dayton and The University of Tennessee Knoxville? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Dayton
The University of Tennessee Knoxville

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Tennessee Knoxville, TN
  • Setting
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Tennessee Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Tennessee 38,728
  • Type
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • Tennessee Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Tennessee #226
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Tennessee -
  • Status
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Tennessee Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Dayton
  • Tennessee

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tennessee $13,812
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tennessee $33,256
  • Room & Board
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Tennessee $13,356
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Tennessee $21,648
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • Tennessee $11,434
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Tennessee 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Tennessee 59,764
  • Admitted
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Tennessee 24,863
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Tennessee 41.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Tennessee 27.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Tennessee 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Tennessee 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Tennessee 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Tennessee A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Tennessee Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Tennessee Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • Tennessee 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Tennessee 1200/1370
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Tennessee Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Tennessee

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Tennessee 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Tennessee
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Tennessee 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Tennessee $56,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Tennessee 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Tennessee $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Tennessee $206

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • Tennessee 46%
  • % Women
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Tennessee 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Dayton Low
  • Tennessee Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Dayton No
  • Tennessee No
  • % White
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • Tennessee 79%
  • % Asian
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Tennessee 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • Tennessee 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • Tennessee 3%
  • % International
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • Tennessee 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Tennessee 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • Tennessee 64%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Tennessee 35%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Tennessee No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Tennessee Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Dayton No
  • Tennessee No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Dayton Yes
  • Tennessee No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Dayton in Dayton, OH 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 University of Dayton based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 10,506 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Dayton is located in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Dayton 14:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

University of Dayton vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than University of Dayton ($21,648 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 20.5% lower than at University of Dayton ($13,356 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 255.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $35,328 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $13,812.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at University of Dayton than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $15,884 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $33,256.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Dayton than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 192.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($33,418 vs. $11,434).

University of Dayton vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is the same as at Tennessee (1290).
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Tennessee (28).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 1200/1380; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Dayton 25/31; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Dayton - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.7% at University of Dayton vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

University of Dayton vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Dayton 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).

  • University of Dayton's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than University of Dayton graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Dayton graduates ($206 vs. $268).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 69%)

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.