Tennessee vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Tennessee vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than Tennessee ($18,427 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 9.8% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,356 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 57.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $7,991 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79% higher at UVA than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $26,256 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Virginia Main Campus (94% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 151.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($28,715 vs. $11,434).

Tennessee vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tennessee or UVA? 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 UVA and Tennessee.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 190 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming UVA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission; UVA - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 40% at UVA.

Tennessee vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee and UVA? 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).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.