The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus

Tennessee Admission Requirements

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Knoxville, TN
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Tennessee Admission Overview

Tennessee admission requirements are competitive. Last year Tennessee admitted 41.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1200-1370 / ACT 25-31. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tennessee requires the SAT or ACT for 2026-27.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate-application/test-score-policy/

Tennessee Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

41.6%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Tennessee acceptance rate is 41.6%. Last year, 24,863 of 59,764 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in Tennessee and the 183rd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Tennessee is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 27% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tennessee GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.66*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.66*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Tennessee has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.66 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.66 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

Tennessee Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires all first-year applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores for Fall 2027 admission. Applicants self-report scores by the materials deadline, including January 20, 2027, for regular decision; only tests taken through December 2026 count for admission and institutional merit scholarships, and official scores must arrive from the testing agency by May 15, 2027. UT superscores the SAT using Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math and superscores the ACT from the highest section scores; the optional SAT Essay and ACT Writing are not used. ACT Science is not required for Fall 2027, but UT will include a Science score if it helps the superscore.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate-application/test-score-policy/

Tennessee SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1200-1370

Freshmen who sent SAT

24%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 600
Composite 1200

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 690
Composite 1370

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Tennessee typically score around a 1290 SAT (middle 50% 1200–1370) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 87th percentile nationally. Tennessee ranks #5 in the state of Tennessee and #221 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1200 to 1370

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at The University of Tennessee Knoxville
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1370+	Above 75th	>58%
1290 to 1370	Avg +	43%-58%
1200 to 1290	Avg -	28%-43%
Below 1200	Below mid-50	<28%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Tennessee ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

81%

25th Percentile Scores

English 24
Math 24
Composite 25

75th Percentile Scores

English 32
Math 29
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Tennessee typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Tennessee places #4 among colleges in Tennessee and #248 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at The University of Tennessee Knoxville
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31+	Above 75th	>58%
28 to 31	Avg +	42%-58%
25 to 28	Avg -	28%-42%
Below 25	Below mid-50	<28%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.

Open the Tennessee chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	35,827	23,936	59,764
Accepted	14,098	10,765	24,863
Acceptance Rate	39%	45%	42%
Enrolled	3,602	3,202	6,804
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	30%	27%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Required to be considered for admission
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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted