Georgia vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

University of Georgia is larger than Tennessee based on total student enrollment (43,146 students vs. 38,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Georgia 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 Georgia 17:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Georgia vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia 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 Georgia than Tennessee ($16,662 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 12.6% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($11,672 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $2,362 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Tennessee than at University of Georgia (about $1,568 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Georgia (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Georgia students is 2.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($11,674 vs. $11,434).

Georgia vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia 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 Georgia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Georgia (1380) is 90 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Georgia 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 Georgia 1270/1480; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Georgia 29/34; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia - Required to be considered for admission; Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Georgia (37.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.3% at Georgia vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Georgia vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia 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 Georgia's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Georgia earn a median of about $100 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Georgia graduates have a $854 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($19,146 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($197 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.