University of Tennessee-Knoxville: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Knoxville, Tennessee · Public · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public university in Knoxville, Tennessee that admits about 42% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $18,976 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Research and Experimental Psychology and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 74% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Tennessee-Knoxville admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 42%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1290 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,976 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
72% of enrolled students at University of Tennessee-Knoxville had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.17, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Tennessee-Knoxville weight in admissions?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Character/personal qualities
- • State residency
SAT and ACT scores University of Tennessee-Knoxville typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 600–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1210 |
| 50th percentile | 1290 |
| 75th percentile | 1360 |
| % submitting SAT | 24% |
| 25th percentile | 25 |
| 50th percentile | 28 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 81% |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Policy detail: Required
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 40% |
| Top 25% of class | 70% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
| % submitting class rank | 26% |
How much does University of Tennessee-Knoxville actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,812 for in-state students and $33,256 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,356 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,976 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,976 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Tennessee-Knoxville
| Regular deadline | 11/1 |
| Notification date | December/March |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
These predict outcomes at University of Tennessee-Knoxville better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Tennessee-Knoxville, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Research and Experimental Psychology and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. Across all programs, University of Tennessee-Knoxville confers roughly 2,349 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $79,000 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 470 | $79,000 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 378 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 358 | $61,292 |
| Biology, General | 259 | $58,414 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 257 | $74,229 |
| Marketing | 240 | $62,427 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 198 | $78,862 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 189 | $88,397 |
Is University of Tennessee-Knoxville safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Tennessee-Knoxville disclosed 85 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 15 violent offenses and 41 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
About 37% of undergraduates at University of Tennessee-Knoxville live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 22% of men join a fraternity and 43% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Tennessee parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Common questions parents ask about University of Tennessee-Knoxville
What GPA do I need for University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
72% of enrolled students at University of Tennessee-Knoxville had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.17, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Tennessee-Knoxville typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 600–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31.
How much does University of Tennessee-Knoxville actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Tennessee-Knoxville after grants and scholarships is $18,976 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,812 and $33,256 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Tennessee-Knoxville realistic for my child?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville admits 42% of applicants, so 600–690 SAT Math is target range and below 600 is a reach. Then check the $18,976 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville accepts about 42% of applicants out of roughly 59,764 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is University of Tennessee-Knoxville test-optional?
No. University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
What is the graduation rate at University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
About 74% of students at University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduate within six years, and 57% finish in four years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Tennessee-Knoxville look for in applicants?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville rates course rigor, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Tennessee-Knoxville a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
What are the most popular majors at University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Tennessee-Knoxville by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Research and Experimental Psychology and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. The school awards about 2,349 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Tennessee-Knoxville safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Tennessee-Knoxville reported 85 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
At University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 37% of undergraduates live on campus, 22% of men are in fraternities, 43% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers