Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($21,648 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 39.4% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($13,356 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 388.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $53,686 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at Vanderbilt than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $34,242 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Vanderbilt University (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 463.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($64,404 vs. $11,434).

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 250 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission; Vanderbilt - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vanderbilt students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee and Vanderbilt? 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).

• Vanderbilt University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $26,800 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($144 vs. $206).
• More Vanderbilt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.