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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedLarge campusUrban

Known for business — major research university

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution in Knoxville with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1304, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 28.8K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

74% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $60,249 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,109.

Established
1794
Motto
Veritatem cognoscetis, et veritas vos liberabit.
Mascot
Smokey XI
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

46%Acceptance
1304SAT Avg
28,763Students
18:1Student:Faculty
74%Grad Rate
$60,249Earnings 10yr
$18,109Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate46.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1304

Reading & WritingMid: 630
600670
MathMid: 625
590670

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2531

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$13,484
Tuition (out-of-state)$31,974
Room & Board$12,500
Books & Supplies$1,598
Total Cost of Attendance$32,658
Average Net Price$18,109
Median Debt at Graduation$20,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,397
$30–48K$12,714
$48–75K$18,820
$75–110K$23,297
$110K+$25,438

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

70.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

218

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

56

Burglary

11

Aggravated Assault

7

Robbery

19

Motor Vehicle Theft

23

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

58

Drug Arrests

43

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (290)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

91%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
28,763
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
25%
Pell Grant Recipients
21%

Race & Ethnicity

White 79%
Black 4%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate73.5%
Freshman Retention91.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,782
10 Years$60,249

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#102
vs 2024
Forbes
#144
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#152
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Rowing programBasketball rivals

History & Fun Facts

  • In the summer of 1826 (coincidentally, the year that Thomas Jefferson died), the trustees explored "Barbara Hill" (today known simply as The Hill) as a potential site and relocated there by 1828.
  • In 1840, the college was elevated to East Tennessee University (ETU).
  • On February 28, 1867, Congress passed a special Act making the State of Tennessee eligible to participate in the Morrill Act of 1862 program.
  • In January 1869, the Reconstruction-era Tennessee state government designated ETU as Tennessee's recipient of the Land-Grant designation and funds.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from TN state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
154 mi(267 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
160 mi(277 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
180 mi(312 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BNA Nashville154 mi
ATL Atlanta162 mi
CLT Charlotte175 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA818 mi · ~23h 38m drive
New York, NY630 mi · ~18h 12m drive
Hartford, CT726 mi · ~20h 58m drive
Providence, RI785 mi · ~22h 41m drive
Albany, NY713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Syracuse, NY642 mi · ~18h 33m drive
Rochester, NY600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Buffalo, NY549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Philadelphia, PA551 mi · ~15h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA376 mi · ~10h 52m drive
Harrisburg, PA485 mi · ~14h 1m drive
Newark, NJ623 mi · ~18h drive
Washington, DC429 mi · ~12h 24m drive
Baltimore, MD462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Atlanta, GA154 mi · ~4h 27m drive
Charlotte, NC180 mi · ~5h 12m drive
Raleigh, NC296 mi · ~8h 33m drive
Miami, FL738 mi · ~21h 19m drive
Orlando, FL533 mi · ~15h 24m drive
Tampa, FL559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Nashville, TN160 mi · ~4h 37m drive
New Orleans, LA546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Richmond, VA376 mi · ~10h 52m drive
Chicago, IL455 mi · ~13h 9m drive
Detroit, MI443 mi · ~12h 48m drive
Minneapolis, MN793 mi · ~22h 55m drive
St. Louis, MO391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Kansas City, MO622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Indianapolis, IN290 mi · ~8h 23m drive
Columbus, OH282 mi · ~8h 9m drive
Cleveland, OH402 mi · ~11h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI534 mi · ~15h 26m drive
Dallas, TX765 mi · ~22h 6m drive
Houston, TX789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Austin, TX890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
San Antonio, TX958 mi · ~27h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA1937 mi · ~55h 57m drive
San Francisco, CA2117 mi · ~61h 9m drive
San Diego, CA1900 mi · ~54h 53m drive
Seattle, WA2110 mi · ~60h 57m drive
Portland, OR2110 mi · ~60h 57m drive
Denver, CO1176 mi · ~33h 58m drive
Phoenix, AZ1603 mi · ~46h 19m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1544 mi · ~44h 36m drive
Honolulu, HI4494 mi · ~129h 50m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Application Checklist

Decision Notifications