DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 100 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · KNOXVILLE, TN · PUBLIC

University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
46.0%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
73
FIT
SAFETY
University of Tennessee is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
46.0%
of 50,488 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$60,249
across all majors
01

University of Tennessee at a Glance

36,950
Total Enrollment
$20,500
Median Debt
21.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Tennessee

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading600670635
SAT Math590670630
SAT Total119013401265
ACT Composite253128

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received50,488
Students Admitted23,221
Students Enrolled6,694
Yield Rate28.8%

University of Tennessee Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #89 2025

University of Tennessee Overview

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public university in Knoxville, TN with 36,950 students. At 46.0% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Graduates earn a median of $60,249 ten years after enrollment.

Full NameThe University of Tennessee-Knoxville
LocationKnoxville, TN 37996
TypePublic
Websiteutk.edu/
Total Enrollment36,950
Undergrad Enrollment28,925
Female Students54.1%

University of Tennessee Graduate Earnings Overview

$47,782
Median Salary (6yr)
$60,249
Median Salary (10yr)
$20,500
Median Debt
2.9x
Earnings / Debt

University of Tennessee graduates earn a median of $60,249 ten years after enrollment against median debt of $20,500. Actual outcomes depend heavily on your chosen major.

Salary by Major at University of Tennessee

Earnings data by program, measured four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankUniversity of Tennessee SalaryNational MedianPremium
Engineering #48 NaN%
Business #42 NaN%

Most Popular Majors at University of Tennessee

What students actually study — percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Business/Marketing
27.9%
Engineering
10.9%
Social Sciences
7.2%
Biological Sciences
6.7%
Psychology
6.2%
Communication
6.1%
Health Professions
5.7%
Parks/Recreation
5.4%
Agriculture
3.7%
Computer Science
2.5%
Family Sciences
2.2%
Visual/Performing Arts
2.2%

Is University of Tennessee Worth It? The ROI Verdict

Most graduates can manage their debt load, though your specific major choice will significantly impact your personal ROI.

69 ROI Score
DeepColleges ROI Score: 69/100
Based on earnings relative to net cost across income brackets.

University of Tennessee True Cost by Family Income

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at U Tennessee. Families earning $0-30k pay around $10,029 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $25,688. 21% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating U Tennessee enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $20,500, which is reasonable against the $47,782 typical early-career salary.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $10,029 $40,116
$30-48k $12,162 $48,648
$48-75k $18,206 $72,824
$75-110k $23,627 $94,508
$110k+ $25,688 $102,752

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$12,500
Total Cost of Attendance$33,678

University of Tennessee Programs & Graduate Salary

Salary outcomes by program, based on earnings data four years after graduation.

ProgramUS RankUniversity of Tennessee SalaryNational MedianPremium
Engineering #48 +NaN%
Business #42 +NaN%

Student Demographics

White
78.6%
Black/African American
4.7%
Hispanic/Latino
6.0%
Asian
3.7%
International
0.9%

How to Get Into University of Tennessee

U Tennessee is a Match school for students with solid academics. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school median, you have good odds of admission. Focus your energy on the application essay and making a genuine case for why U Tennessee fits your goals.

1265
Target SAT Score
28
Target ACT Score
46.0%
Acceptance Rate
50,488
Total Applicants

What University of Tennessee Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Considered
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Not Considered
Volunteer Work Not Considered

GPA Profile of Admitted Students at University of Tennessee

High school GPA distribution of enrolled freshmen, from the Common Data Set.

3.75+
84.99%
3.50–3.74
8.13%
3.25–3.49
4.48%
3.00–3.24
1.63%

University of Tennessee Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Tennessee Rolling admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Priority DeadlineNov 1
Regular DecisionRolling
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Rolling Admissions: University of Tennessee reviews applications as they arrive. Apply early for the best chance at admission and financial aid.

Financial Aid & Student Debt

21.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$20,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$47,782
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Tennessee

What is U Tennessee's acceptance rate?
U Tennessee has an acceptance rate of 46.0%, making it moderately selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for U Tennessee?
The middle 50% SAT range at U Tennessee is 1190-1340. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 25-31. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at U Tennessee?
The most popular majors at U Tennessee by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (27.9%), Engineering (10.9%), Social Sciences (7.2%), Biological Sciences (6.7%), Psychology (6.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
How much do U Tennessee graduates earn?
U Tennessee graduates earn a median salary of $60,249 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.
Is U Tennessee worth the cost?
With median earnings of $60,249 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $20,500, The earning potential is favorable relative to debt, though ROI depends heavily on your chosen major. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.
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More About University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate University of Tennessee Tuition & Cost Transfer to University of Tennessee University of Tennessee Salary & ROI University of Tennessee AP Credit Best Majors at University of Tennessee University of Tennessee Housing International at University of Tennessee

Other Colleges in TN

Vanderbilt University
6.3% accept · Nashville

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Tennessee is not affiliated with DeepColleges.