UC vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus 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 Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UC vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than UC ($21,648 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 1.5% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($13,356 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $164 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Tennessee than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $3,946 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 39.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($11,434 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 20 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UC vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($206 vs. $237).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.