Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · KNOXVILLE, TN · PUBLIC

University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
46.0%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For University of Tennessee, the gap is real: a $33,678 published sticker, but families actually pay about $17,942/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
University of Tennessee is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
46.0%
of 50,488 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$60,249
across all majors
01

University of Tennessee at a Glance

36,950
Total Enrollment
$20,500
Median Debt
21.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Tennessee

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading600670635
SAT Math590670630
SAT Total119013401265
ACT Composite253128

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received50,488
Students Admitted23,221
Students Enrolled6,694
Yield Rate28.8%

University of Tennessee Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #89 2025

University of Tennessee Admissions Overview

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a public university in Knoxville, TN with 36,950 students. At 46.0% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

Full NameThe University of Tennessee-Knoxville
LocationKnoxville, TN 37996
TypePublic
Websiteutk.edu/
Total Enrollment36,950
Undergrad Enrollment28,925
Female Students54.1%

Is University of Tennessee a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With a 46.0% acceptance rate, University of Tennessee is a Match for students who meet the academic profile. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school average, you have reasonable odds.

Your ProfileUniversity of Tennessee Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

University of Tennessee True Cost by Family Income

21% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating U Tennessee enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $10,029 $40,116
$30-48k $12,162 $48,648
$48-75k $18,206 $72,824
$75-110k $23,627 $94,508
$110k+ $25,688 $102,752

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$12,500
Total Cost of Attendance$33,678

Want to see how University of Tennessee stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at University of Tennessee

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing
27.9%
Engineering
10.9%
Social Sciences
7.2%
Biological Sciences
6.7%
Psychology
6.2%
Best Majors at University of Tennessee →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
78.6%
Black/African American
4.7%
Hispanic/Latino
6.0%
Asian
3.7%
International
0.9%

How to Get Into University of Tennessee

U Tennessee is a Match school for students with solid academics. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school median, you have good odds of admission. Focus your energy on the application essay and making a genuine case for why U Tennessee fits your goals.

1265
Target SAT Score
28
Target ACT Score
46.0%
Acceptance Rate
50,488
Total Applicants

What University of Tennessee Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Considered
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Not Considered
Volunteer Work Not Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at University of Tennessee by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

University of Tennessee Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Tennessee Rolling admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Priority DeadlineNov 1
Regular DecisionRolling
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Rolling Admissions: University of Tennessee reviews applications as they arrive. Apply early for the best chance at admission and financial aid.

See University of Tennessee alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

21.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$20,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$47,782
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Tennessee

What is U Tennessee's acceptance rate?
U Tennessee has an acceptance rate of 46.0%, making it moderately selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for U Tennessee?
The middle 50% SAT range at U Tennessee is 1190-1340. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 25-31. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at U Tennessee?
The most popular majors at U Tennessee by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (27.9%), Engineering (10.9%), Social Sciences (7.2%), Biological Sciences (6.7%), Psychology (6.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
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Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Tennessee is not affiliated with NextColleges.