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#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

UTC Admission Requirements

Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Your chances of getting into The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

82.6%
Admission Difficulty for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UTC is 82.6%.  Its admission rate is the 34th lowest in Tennessee.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UTC and can you get accepted?

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 6,897 out of the 8,345 who applied were admitted.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.61. 33% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UTC?

83% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.61 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT

UTC GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.61

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UTC are to have around a 3.61 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.61 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as UTC accepts 83% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UTC is 3.61 on the 4.0 scale. 21% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #16 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UTC is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 21.3% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.9% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.7% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 15.4% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 11.7% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.5% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UTC SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 5% of students submitted SAT scores and 90% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1023-1210

Applicants Submitting SAT 

5%
SAT Scores for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 513
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1023
SAT Scores for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1210
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UTC is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1023-1210. Students who get into The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  UTC ranks #19 in the state of Tennessee for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UTC regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1023 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1023, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 930, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1116, you have around a 83% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 90% chance of getting in.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1210 and Above Good >90%
1116 to 1210 Avg + 83%-90%
1023 to 1116 Avg - 72%-83%
930 to 1023 Reach 58%-72%
Less than 930 Low <58%
Calculate My Chances 

UTC ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

90%
ACT Scores for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UTC?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UTC is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 26.  The school ranks #13 in Tennessee for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 90 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UTC for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 83% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 26 ACT score.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >90%
23 to 26 Avg + 83%-90%
20 to 23 Avg - 72%-83%
17 to 20 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 17 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,366 2,978 8,345
Accepted 4,456 2,441 6,897
Acceptance Rate 83% 82% 83%
Enrolled 1,334 912 2,246
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 30% 37% 33%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

161

Applicants have 161 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on May 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and what student information is used for admission decisions?

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.61 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=221740 IPEDS survey data for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Last updated February 24, 2024