UNCG vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, NC 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNCG vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 University of North Carolina at Greensboro than Tennessee ($11,404 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 20% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($10,688 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 80.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $6,151 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at Tennessee than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $9,244 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (94% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 15.9% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students ($11,434 vs. $9,863).

UNCG vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 40 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UNCG vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $2,737 lower median loan debt than UNCG graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,737).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCG graduates ($206 vs. $235).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.