UO vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oregon in Eugene, OR 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 UO based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oregon is located in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Oregon 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 Oregon 19:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UO vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UO 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 UO ($21,648 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 19.6% lower than at University of Oregon ($13,356 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $2,325 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at UO than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $11,342 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of Oregon (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 19.6% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($11,434 vs. $9,560).

UO vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UO 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 UO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 40 points higher than at UO (1250).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 1130/1360; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 23/30; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UO - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UO students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• UO has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at UO vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UO vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UO 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 Oregon's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $1,101 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($206 vs. $218).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.