The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
#10 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,151 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,265 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,242,265.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Matters
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public doctoral / professional university in Chattanooga, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 10,074
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Engineering
Why students choose The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1013–1210. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,265 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,151 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.56 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 10,000 students, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a solid choice for those seeking a welcoming environment where they can dive into popular fields like Business and Marketing, Psychology, Education, Engineering, and Communications. The 81% acceptance rate speaks to its accessibility, making it a good fit for a diverse range of students who are looking for a comprehensive education without the pressure of hyper-competitive admissions.
After graduation, students can expect to earn a median salary of $51,151 a decade into their careers. This figure highlights a pathway to stable financial growth, especially for those who leverage their degrees effectively. While the graduation rate stands at 52%, it’s important to recognize that many graduates do find their footing in the workforce, even if it takes a bit longer for some. The affordability of the education is another plus, with a net price of $14,265, making it a reasonable option for many.
When it comes to the financial side of things, students generally graduate with a median debt of $19,500. This manageable debt load, coupled with the supportive campus culture, tends to help graduates navigate their post-college lives more smoothly. The university attracts individuals who are motivated to succeed, particularly those looking to balance academic pursuits with real-world applications in a vibrant community like Chattanooga.
Rankings
- #10 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #13 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #18 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #18 Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee
- #19 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #22 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #25 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,147. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 1147
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1013–1210
- ACT Range
- 20–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,181
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 8,345
- Admitted
- 6,897
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is $18,512, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,265. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,876 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,448
- Out-of-State
- $18,512
- Avg Net Price
- $14,265
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,876
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,919
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,594
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,137
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earn a median of $51,151, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,209
- 8 Years
- $47,038
- 10 Years
- $51,151
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (694)
- 32%
- 100% (694)
- 32%
- 100% (694)
- 32%
- 100% (694)
- 32%
How The Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,265/year ($57,060 total). Graduates earn $51,151 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,299,325 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,242,265 (22.8× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,060
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,299,325
- Net Return
- $1,242,265
- ROI Multiple
- 22.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,265
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,535,195
- Investment Income
- $3,755,642
Top Programs
The fields The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $46,366 early-career
- Psychology 9% $32,505 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $63,635 early-career
- Engineering 6% $86,599 early-career
- Education 5% $41,702 early-career
- Communications 5% $37,668 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $53,515 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $39,024 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,147. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is $18,512, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,265. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,876 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earn a median of $51,151, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Close peer46% grad $51,793 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · Close peer60% grad $49,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · Close peer51% grad $51,532 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · Close peer50% grad $47,258 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS · Close peer48% grad $48,928 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note