Established in 1794, The University of Tennessee is quickly growing in popularity. In fact, 2024 brought the largest number of undergraduate first-year applicants in the school’s history and produced the lowest-ever University of Tennessee acceptance rate. With record-level growth at almost 60,000 applications received for the class of 2028, the university saw a 19% increase in applicants from 2023. This means 9,160 more applications were received in 2024 compared to 2023.
So, not only was this year’s applicant pool large, but also it was extremely competitive.
Located in Knoxville, a vibrant city with historic attractions, museums, and nature centers, it’s no wonder the ideal location of this campus is a major draw to prospective students. Plus, the school is rated highly as the #1 public university in the state. Known for its D-1 sports teams—“The Volunteers”—Greek life, and as the flagship campus for the state school, UT is growing at an unprecedented rate. This growth means the University of Tennessee acceptance rate is sure to reflect this influx.
University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate
As part of the university’s mission, UT plans to enroll a first-year class with two-thirds in-state residents. Because of the increase in overall applications, this means out-of-state students will have increased difficulty finding acceptance.
Ultimately, the university takes a holistic approach in reviewing applications. In addition to academic considerations, like standardized test scores and rigor of high school curriculum, the school also considers extracurriculars, leadership positions, and community involvement.
However, the student’s home state will still ultimately be a factor in the final decision, as the university approved an In-state Guaranteed Admissions Policy in the fall of 2023. This policy aims to make college more accessible for Tennessee residents. High schoolers who meet certain requirements and apply early decision will have guaranteed acceptance.
These requirements are as follows:
- Be in the top 10% of their class
- Have a calculated UT Core GPA of 4.0 or higher
That said, for the class of 2028, the University of Tennessee acceptance rate for out-of-sate students was 23.7%.
University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate (cont’d)
But what about in-state students?
Let’s take a moment to look at the numbers between the early action and regular decisions admission overview for the class of 2028. Out of the 57,270 undergraduate applicants, 19,633 students were admitted.
Applicants for this previous admissions cycle came from 95 Tennessee counties, over 480 Tennessee high schools, 50 states, and 7,574 U.S. high schools, and almost 40 countries.
With the 23.7% out-of-state admit rate, this means 10,846 out-of-state students were admitted.
For in-state students, 8,787 in-state students were admitted. This means the University of Tennessee acceptance rate for in-state students was 65.7%.
Ultimately, the acceptance rate for the university as a whole witnessed a dramatic drop in its acceptance rate. With an overall acceptance rate of 35%, this means the class of 2028 experienced the most competitive entrance in the school’s history.
For example, just two years ago in 2022, the University of Tennessee acceptance rate was 68.4%. This means the overall acceptance rate was cut nearly in half!
What is the cause of this rise in admissions?
One reason may be University of Tennessee’s shining football season in 2022. With the Volunteers clinching the Orange Bowl win over Clemson, they secured their best season in over 20 years. According to the chancellor, the athletic success of the sports teams and the campus growth may be related.
Whatever the reason, it is likely this trend will carry over into the next application season. The class of 2029 will probably experience another competitive year.
University of Tennessee Average Test Scores
As part of the application process, students must submit either their SAT or ACT scores. So, first-year applicants will need to provide these scores. Test scores will need to be provided after confirming enrollment.
Average SAT Score: 1170-1330
Average ACT Score: 25-31
SAT or ACT scores may be a deciding factor in any scholarship and financial aid decisions that may be made by admissions.
University of Tennessee Tuition
Over the previous academic year, 90% of University of Tennessee students received scholarships or financial aid. Plus, nearly half of UT undergraduates complete their degree debt-free.
With scholarships available based on academic merit, geographic location (Tennessee counties), and Tennessee residency, there are many opportunities to earn financial aid. In fact, first-year students who apply by the December 15 deadline will atomically be considered for scholarships.
If you’re worried about your chances as an out-of-state student, then you will be happy to hear there are four specific scholarships available for out-of-state students. Plus, international students have the opportunity to qualify for three scholarships designated for international students, especially.
But first, to give you a better idea of how much the University of Tennessee tuition is, let’s look at a price breakdown from the previous 2024 spring semester undergraduate hourly rate.
Per credit hour, in-state students pay an average of $776 less than out-of-state students.
University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate (cont’d)
For example, a full-time rate for an in-state student is $6,742. If we figure this amount is per semester, and multiply it by two to account for the fall semester, this means the University of Tennessee tuition rate for in-state students is about $13,484/year.
A full-time undergraduate rate for out-of-state students is $15,987/semester. Following the same logic, if we multiply this number by two, this means the University of Tennessee tuition rate for out-of-state students is about $31,974/year.
However, there are noteworthy differentials in tuition based on major and area of study. For example, students studying engineering, business, nursing, and architecture and design can expect additional fees. The breakdown is as follows:
- Engineering: Additional $115/credit hour
- Business: Additional $101/credit hour
- Nursing: Additional $245/credit hour
- Architecture and Design: Additional $111/credit hour
University of Tennessee Majors
What are some other areas of study? What majors does the University of Tennessee offer?
The University of Tennessee offers over 900 programs, degrees, and certificates. More specifically, there are over 360 undergraduate programs. So, chances are, you can find a program that fits your specific interest. Plus, with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students can receive individualized instruction and even enjoy smaller class sizes.
According to the University, the top 5 majors for the class of 2028 are:
- Nursing
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
- Biological Sciences
However, there are many other major programs the university specializes in. Let’s take a look at a few undergraduate majors by field.
Bachelor of Arts
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Economics
- English
- Geography
- Global Studies
- History
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sustainability
- Theatre
Bachelor of Science
- Information Science
- Geology and Environmental Studies
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Neuroscience
- Physics
- Recreation and Sport Management
- Statistics
- Chemistry
University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate (cont’d)
Additionally, there are specialty programs students can major in, such as:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Animal Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biosystems Engineering
- Child and Family Studies
- Construction Science and Management
- Deaf Studies
- Environmental and Soil Sciences
- Forestry
- Nuclear Engineering
- Pre-professional programs
- Dentistry
- Law
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Veterinary Medicine
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of all undergraduate majors. However, we hope this list provides you with a good idea of the University of Tennessee majors and varied programs the school is equipped to offer. Each program allows for its own set of requirements as you work toward the degree, so it is important to review the undergraduate course catalog before registering for classes.
University of Tennessee Majors (cont’d)
Additionally, certain programs may have their own set of requirements. Especially with more specialized programs, these requirements will determine a student’s chances at admission.
For example, the Pre-Pharmacy direct admissions program requires a minimum GPA requirement of 3.5 and an ACT of 25 or higher.
Plus, The University of Tennessee is also a well-known engineering school. For consideration into the Tickle College of Engineering, students must aim for a certain Success Prediction Indicator (SPI) score. The SPI is calculated based on subject scores for the SAT or ACT mathematics section and student GPA. For the SAT, students should aim for a 590 mathematics section score. For the ACT, students should aim for a 25 mathematics section score. Additionally, students should be prepared to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The SPI score is calculated by multiplying the ACT mathematics score to 10 times their core high school GPA. Here is an example from the university website:
SPI EXAMPLE: A student with a high school core GPA of 3.5 and an ACT mathematics score of 28 would have an SPI of 63 using the formula (3.5 X 10) + 28 = 63. SAT scores are converted to an equivalent ACT score to perform this calculation.
Students need to produce a minimum 60 SPI score for admission to the Tickle College of Engineering.
University of Tennessee notable alumni
You may be surprised to learn that you are familiar with more than one graduate from the University of Tennessee. With a long history of producing successful alumni, the school has many recognizable faces with UT degrees to their name.
Enjoy sports? Then, you’re probably familiar with University of Tennessee notable alumni Candace Parker (2008; BA Sports Management), Tamika Catchings (2001; BA Sports Management), and Peyton Manning (1997; BA Speech Communication).
Astronaut Scott Kelly (1996; MS Aviation Systems) also comes to mind, along with writer Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut participated in an Army Specialized Training Program, which included taking courses at the University of Tennessee from 1943-1944 in thermodynamics, calculus, and shop practice.
University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate – In Review
Overall, the University of Tennessee is a rapidly growing institution. With the class of 2028 seeing more applicants than in any other period of the school’s history, it’s clear UT’s programs are increasingly competitive. Its new acceptance rate puts the university on par with other competitive schools, like the College of William and Mary (33%), San Diego State University (37%) and other regional universities like University of Georgia (43%) and Auburn University (44%).
Of course, it’s difficult to predict exactly where the university goes from here. There may be concerns about the accessibly of student accommodations and resources on campus. Space may become an issue, with parking and student housing concerns. However, it’s likely the Office of Undergraduate Admissions took these considerations to heart when finalizing decisions.
No matter what the future holds for the University of Tennessee, it’s clear the school is equipped to navigate any upcoming issues with tact. Plus, the new attention on the campus will likely reinvigorate students and faculty alike.
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