Auburn vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL 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 Auburn based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Auburn vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn 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 Auburn ($21,648 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 19.7% lower than at Auburn University ($13,356 vs. $16,626).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $922 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Auburn than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $1,666 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Auburn University (94% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($11,434 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn 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 Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 40 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Auburn students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Tennessee (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Auburn has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Auburn vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn 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).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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.