PC vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Presbyterian College 11:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

PC vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC or UTC? 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 Chattanooga than PC ($15,347 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 7.2% lower than at Presbyterian College ($12,604 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 329.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $34,462 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.6% higher at PC than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $26,398 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 292% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($39,345 vs. $10,038).

PC vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC or UTC? 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 UTC and PC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 20 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming PC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 980/1200; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 21/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PC - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at PC (3.6).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 29.2% at UTC.

PC vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PC and UTC? 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $5,316 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($20,792 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($214 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 56%)

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.