UTC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

UTC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTC or Tennessee State University? 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 Tennessee State University than UTC ($14,586 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 11.5% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($11,150 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $1,832 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at Tennessee State University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $3,904 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Tennessee State University (92% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,038 vs. $9,661).

UTC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UTC or Tennessee State University? 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 State University and UTC.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 140 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming UTC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTC - Required; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at UTC vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

UTC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTC and Tennessee State University? 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 Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $7,208 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($20,792 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($214 vs. $289).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 29%)

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.