The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
#8 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 74% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $60,249 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,976 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 42% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,549,392.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 48% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Matters
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public research university in Knoxville, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and 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 Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 30,418
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Health Professions, Communications
Why students choose The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
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
Selective — admits about 42% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1200–1370. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,976 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,249 ten years after enrolling — 48% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.64 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 30,000 students, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a vibrant place for those looking for a large campus experience. It’s especially suitable for students interested in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, and Health Professions. The acceptance rate of 42% means it’s competitive, but still accessible for many. Students here can expect a lively atmosphere filled with diverse opportunities for learning and engagement.
After graduation, students can look forward to strong earning potential. Those who earn their degree can expect to make about $60,249 within a decade of finishing their studies. This figure provides a solid foundation for those looking to build their careers. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy, with a net price of $18,976 after financial aid. While the Pell Grant rate stands at 19%, it indicates that there are financial support options available for those who qualify.
When it comes to the financial picture, the median debt sits at $20,500, which is manageable for many graduates considering their earning potential. The combination of reasonable costs and solid outcomes means that students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the resources available to them, engage with their studies, and actively participate in campus life. Overall, it’s a place where students can find both academic and personal growth.
Rankings
- #8 Best Engineering Colleges in Tennessee
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in Tennessee
- #14 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #19 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #22 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
- #22 Best Master's Programs in Tennessee
- #26 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #31 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 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-Knoxville? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,311. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1311
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1200–1370
- ACT Range
- 25–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,968
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 36,290
- Admitted
- 24,826
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 30% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 30%
- of admits enroll
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-Knoxville? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is $33,256, 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 $18,976. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,029 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,812
- Out-of-State
- $33,256
- Avg Net Price
- $18,976
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,029
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,162
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,206
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,688
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-Knoxville — 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-Knoxville Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earn a median of $60,249, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,782
- 8 Years
- $54,188
- 10 Years
- $60,249
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,395)
- 51%
- 100% (2,395)
- 51%
- 100% (2,395)
- 51%
- 100% (2,395)
- 51%
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-Knoxville 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-Knoxville delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,976/year ($75,904 total). Graduates earn $60,249 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,625,296 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,549,392 (21.4× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 74% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,904
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,625,296
- Net Return
- $1,549,392
- ROI Multiple
- 21.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,976
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-18,763,509
Top Programs
The fields The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 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 30%
- Engineering 9%
- Health Professions 7% $62,480 early-career
- Communications 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Psychology 5% $33,223 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
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-Knoxville'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,311. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Tennessee-Knoxville? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is $33,256, 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 $18,976. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,029 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earn a median of $60,249, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville? 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-Knoxville. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offer Early Decision?
No. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
About 30% of admitted students choose to enroll at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Close peer81% grad $65,337 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · Close peer77% grad $64,909 earn 36% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Close peer85% grad $68,758 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · Close peer78% grad $62,177 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of South FloridaTampa, FL · Close peer76% grad $57,743 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA · Close peer70% grad $61,251 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville? 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-Knoxville. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note