UNC Chapel Hill vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC 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 UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Tennessee ($10,154 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 3.2% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,356 vs. $13,804).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 53.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $4,818 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $7,947 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (94% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 55.8% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($17,814 vs. $11,434).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 170 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $3,521 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($170 vs. $206).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.