CU Boulder vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder 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 Colorado Boulder 19:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

CU Boulder vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder ($21,648 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 27.7% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($13,356 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $1,854 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at CU Boulder than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $11,662 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Colorado Boulder (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 1.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($11,434 vs. $11,225).

CU Boulder vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 50 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• CU Boulder has a higher acceptance rate (78.1%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

CU Boulder vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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).

• University of Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $600 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($201 vs. $206).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.