University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO 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 Missouri-Columbia based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 31,543 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Missouri Columbia is located in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia 17:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri-Columbia ($21,648 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 2.5% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($13,356 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $1,025 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $2,800 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 15.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($13,203 vs. $11,434).

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri-Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 50 points higher than at University of Missouri-Columbia (1240).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at University of Missouri-Columbia).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Missouri Columbia 23/30; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

University of Missouri-Columbia vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Missouri-Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $54,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,883 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($206 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.