AU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

AU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Tennessee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than AU ($21,648 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 4.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,720 vs. $13,356).
• Anderson University is 153.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $21,158 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at AU than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $1,714 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 127.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($25,969 vs. $11,434).

AU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Tennessee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 100 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

AU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Tennessee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $6,862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($206 vs. $277).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.