The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus

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Tennessee Demographics & Diversity

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  • 4 Year
  • Knoxville, TN
  • 4.8 5 reviews
#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 33%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Tennessee are mostly White with a small Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 21% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
Race Percent of Students
White
79%
Black
7%
Hispanic
3%
Asian
3%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
3%
International
1%
Race Unknown
3%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 49%

There are 25% more female students than male students enrolled at The University of Tennessee Knoxville with a gender ratio of 56% women to 44% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Tennessee has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
44%
Women
56%
Enrollment by gender for The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
Gender Number of Students
Men
3,626
Women
4,538

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 35%

Tennessee draws 64 percent of students from Tennessee, 35 percent from other states, and 0 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Tennessee, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for The University of Tennessee Knoxville students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
64%
Out of State
35%
Foreign
0%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$60,752 per year

16% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

38,728
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 7.5%
Part-time undergraduates 5.5%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to The University of Tennessee Knoxville often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=221759.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026