Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is located in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tennessee or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($21,648 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 19.3% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,356 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $2,136 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Virginia Tech than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $4,508 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Virginia Tech (94% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($11,434 vs. $9,168).

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 80 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission; Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Tennessee vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tennessee and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($206 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.