University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state's flagship public land-grant university, set on a hill above the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop and roughly 32,000 undergraduates. Admission has grown more selective as applications surge — about 44% of more than 53,000 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years post an average high school GPA near 4.25 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1280–1380. Business and marketing is by far the most popular field at roughly 30% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering, and Tennessee's Promise and HOPE lottery scholarships keep it an exceptional value for in-state students. After several test-optional years, UT now requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.
See how University of Tennessee compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
University of Tennessee admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admitted~1.9× higher admit rate for in-state applicants.
Early Action
University of Tennessee offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
University of Tennessee requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where University of Tennessee's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 22% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. University of Tennessee does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How University of Tennessee weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from University of Tennessee's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $19,144 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your University of Tennessee application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at University of Tennessee and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about University of Tennessee admissions
What is the University of Tennessee's acceptance rate?＋
UT Knoxville admitted about 43.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing more than 53,000 applications and enrolling roughly 7,100 first-year students.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Tennessee?＋
Admitted first-year students at UT Knoxville report an average high school GPA of about 4.25 on a weighted scale. There is no hard cutoff, but both your GPA and the rigor of your high school course load are weighed as very important factors, so strong grades in challenging classes matter most.
Is it harder to get into the University of Tennessee from out of state?＋
Yes — substantially. Tennessee residents were admitted at a 76.0% rate in the most recent cycle (9,042 admitted from 11,898 applicants), while out-of-state applicants were admitted at 40.4% (18,558 admitted from 45,968 applicants). UT's admission review lists State Residency as a very important factor, and that nearly 36-point gap reflects it. Non-residents can still earn admission with competitive academics, but they are working against a meaningfully higher bar.
Does the University of Tennessee require the SAT or ACT?＋
Yes. After several test-optional years, UT Knoxville again requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Among recently enrolled students the middle 50% scored between 1280 and 1380 on the SAT and 26 to 31 on the ACT, with most Tennessee residents submitting the ACT.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the University of Tennessee?＋
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1280 to 1380 on the SAT and 26 to 31 on the ACT, with medians around 1330 and 29. Roughly 20% of SAT submitters scored 1400 or above and about 42% of ACT submitters scored 30 or higher, so a score in or above those ranges keeps you competitive.
How much does the University of Tennessee cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees are about $13,812 for Tennessee residents and $32,956 for out-of-state students, with on-campus housing and food adding roughly $13,594. About 37% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $15,787, and the Tennessee HOPE lottery scholarship further offsets costs for qualifying in-state students.
Does the University of Tennessee have Early Action, and does the essay matter?＋
UT Knoxville offers non-binding, non-restrictive Early Action with no Early Decision, so applying early does not commit you to enroll. The application essay is rated a very important factor in UT's review, on par with GPA, course rigor, and test scores, so a specific, well-revised essay carries real weight.
What are the most popular majors at the University of Tennessee?＋
Business and marketing is by far the largest area at about 30% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at roughly 9%, then parks and recreation, the health professions, and communication and journalism. As a land-grant flagship, UT also offers strong programs in the social sciences and the biological and life sciences.
Source: University of Tennessee, Knoxville Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with University of Tennessee. Banner photo by Bubbahotepblues, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).