UNC Charlotte vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 21:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte than Tennessee ($15,045 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 7.6% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($13,356 vs. $14,458).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 90.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $6,573 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Tennessee than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $10,764 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (94% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 43.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($11,434 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 50 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UNC Charlotte vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $48,600), 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 UNC Charlotte graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($206 vs. $237).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.