The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus

Tennessee Admission Requirements

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Your chances of getting into The University of Tennessee Knoxville

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

41.6%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Tennessee is 41.6%. Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in Tennessee and the 183rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Tennessee and can you get accepted?

Tennessee is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 24,863 out of the 59,764 who applied were admitted.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.66. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 27% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into The University of Tennessee Knoxville you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.66 or better
Earn B+ grades in high school
Score 1290 on the SAT
Score 28 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Tennessee GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.66*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.66*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

The GPA requirements for getting into Tennessee are to have around a 3.66 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. You are required to have very good grades in high school. With moderately competitive admissions, a GPA near the average gives you a reasonable chance if the rest of your application is solid.

59% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #11 in Tennessee for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	59.0%	Avg +
3.75 to 3.99	16.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	12.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	8.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	4.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	1.0%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.66 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Tennessee SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1200-1370

Applicants Submitting SAT

24%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 600
Composite 1200

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 690
Composite 1370

SAT Scores You Need to Get In

The average SAT score at Tennessee is 1290 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1200-1370. Students who get into The University of Tennessee Knoxville score in the top 24 percent of all SAT test takers. Tennessee ranks #5 in the state of Tennessee and #221 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1200 to 1370

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

To be most competitive with other applicants, target scoring 1290 or above on the SAT. Tennessee regularly admits students with scores down to 1200; three quarters of admitted students score higher, and admission should be considered a reach if you score below 1200. Some students may be accepted with SAT scores as low as 1115, though scores that low are outside the normal range. With moderately competitive admissions, an SAT score near the average gives you a reasonable chance if the rest of your application is solid.

Submission Requirements

You are required to submit admission test scores with your application. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to confirm the most up to date testing requirements.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1290 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

These estimated admission chances at Tennessee are based on SAT score and the school's acceptance rate, assuming an otherwise average GPA and application. With moderately competitive admissions, scores in the upper ranges improve your odds when the rest of your application is solid.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1370 and Above	Strong	>58%
1290 to 1370	Avg +	43%-58%
1200 to 1290	Avg -	28%-43%
1110 to 1200	Reach	16%-28%
Less than 1110	Low	<16%

What do these chances mean?

Tennessee ACT Scores

ACT Score Profile & Requirements

ACT Range

25-31

Applicants Submitting ACT

81%

Lower Quartile Scores

English 24
Math 24
Overall 25

Upper Quartile Scores

English 32
Math 29
Overall 31

What ACT Score Do You Need?

Admitted students at Tennessee typically earn a score of 28 on the 36-point scale, with most falling between 25 and 31. Successful applicants tend to rank among the top 22% of ACT examinees nationwide. Among colleges in the state of Tennessee, Tennessee ranks #4 for average ACT score and #248 nationally.

ACT Score Range (Middle 50% of Admits) 25 to 31

0 9 18 27 36

Applicants who post a score of 28 or higher on the ACT are usually among the strongest. Tennessee has admitted students scoring as low as 25, but most incoming students are above that mark. Scoring below the 25th percentile should be treated as a reach. In rare cases, scores near 22 have been enough, though that is well outside the usual band. With selective admissions, a median score makes Tennessee a realistic target.

ACT Submission Policy

Test scores must accompany your application; The University of Tennessee Knoxville does not offer a test-optional path. Note: Confirm current ACT policies on the school website before applying.

Browse colleges with similar ACT expectations in the 28 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission Chances by ACT Score

See where your ACT score lands at Tennessee, from reach to likely. Each estimate pairs your score with the acceptance rate and assumes a typical GPA. With selective admissions, an upper-half score makes Tennessee a realistic target.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score (36 max)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31 and Above	Strong	>58%
28 to 31	Avg +	42%-58%
25 to 28	Avg -	28%-42%
22 to 25	Reach	17%-28%
Less than 22	Low	<17%

What do these chances mean?

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

63% of The University of Tennessee Knoxville freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	35%
Top 25% of class	63%
Top 50% of class	91%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	35,827	23,936	59,764
Accepted	14,098	10,765	24,863
Acceptance Rate	39%	45%	42%
Enrolled	3,602	3,202	6,804
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	26%	30%	27%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to The University of Tennessee Knoxville is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to The University of Tennessee Knoxville and what student information is used for admission decisions?

The University of Tennessee Knoxville application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at The University of Tennessee Knoxville
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Tennessee is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria.

A 3.66 GPA gives you a solid shot at getting in. Graduating in the top 25% of your class will also help your chances. An SAT score of 1290 will further improve your application; reaching 1370 gives you a very good chance of getting in. An ACT score of 28 places you in a strong position; 31 is a stronger target.