Iowa vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa 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 Iowa 16:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Iowa vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 Iowa ($21,648 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.3% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,920 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 22.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $2,529 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Iowa than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $115 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Iowa (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 15.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($11,434 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 60 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Iowa vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,616 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($206 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.