CofC vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston in Charleston, 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 CofC based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 11,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• College of Charleston 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: College of Charleston 16:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

CofC vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 College of Charleston than Tennessee ($21,004 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 6.8% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,356 vs. $14,332).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $834 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at CofC than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $5,040 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 27.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($11,434 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 60 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at CofC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• CofC has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

CofC vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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 graduation rate at CofC is the same as at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $46,200), 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 CofC graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC 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.