More selective than 94% of Tennessee colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
28% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 78% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose The University of Tennessee-Knoxville over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or have its file? Send it to us.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 600 | 680 |
| SAT math | 600 | 690 |
| ACT composite | 25 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1200 | 1370 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 42% | 600–680 | 600–690 | 25–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 46% | 600–670 | 590–670 | 25–31 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville compared with other Tennessee colleges?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the 3rd-lowest acceptance rate of 34 Tennessee colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University | 6% | 94% | $15,846 |
| 2 | Fisk University | 37% | 30% | $32,020 |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 42% | 74% | $18,976 |
| 4 | Rhodes College | 50% | 85% | $28,585 |
| 5 | The University of the South | 57% | 80% | $27,872 |
| 6 | Freed-Hardeman University | 60% | 71% | $21,574 |
| 7 | Bethel University | 60% | 35% | $12,595 |
| 8 | Union University | 60% | 66% | $27,171 |
| 9 | Maryville College | 61% | 50% | $19,360 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Tennessee colleges →
Who enrolls at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
College Scorecard; IPEDS
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville admissions questions
What is the The University of Tennessee-Knoxville acceptance rate?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accepts 42% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 23,221 of 50,488 applicants were admitted.
Does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville require the SAT or ACT?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires SAT or ACT scores for admission, according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 28% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 78% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The middle 50% of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville enrolled first-year students scored 1200–1370 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
29% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (6,694 of 23,221).
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville getting harder to get into?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accepted 42% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 46% for Fall 2023.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to The University of Tennessee-Knoxville overview