UCF vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Florida is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UCF vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or Tennessee? 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 Central Florida than Tennessee ($13,351 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 6.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,452 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 116.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $7,444 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48% higher at Tennessee than at University of Central Florida (about $10,789 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Central Florida (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 17.8% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($11,434 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 10 points higher than at UCF (1280).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at UCF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required to be considered for admission; Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UCF (3.64).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UCF vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and Tennessee? 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 graduation rate at UCF is the same as at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than UCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $1,730 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($18,270 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($188 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.