Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($15,336 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 16.9% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,302 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $2,126 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.2% higher at Kentucky than at Tennessee Technological University (about $18,564 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky as at Tennessee Technological University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 23.3% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($12,898 vs. $10,458).

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is the same as at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($165 vs. $235).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.