UNC Charlotte vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte than UTC ($15,045 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 12.8% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,604 vs. $14,458).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $3,209 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at UNC Charlotte than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $3,980 more per year; $22,492.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (92% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 26% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($10,038 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 130 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming UNC Charlotte students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 29.2% at UTC.

UNC Charlotte vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Charlotte earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $2,208 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,792 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($214 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.