The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Acceptance Rate

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 46%. This means that 46 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Admissions Guidelines

• Selective Enrollment: Applicants need a solid GPA and proof of academic growth.
• Holistic Balance: Strong recommendations and community involvement are highly valued.

Selectivity at a Glance

Selective

Selectivity scale: Selective — 46% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.66 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.46 – 3.65

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.21

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 3.66. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is highly selective.

Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.

If your GPA is between 3.36 and 3.66, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Without SAT or ACT?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Average SAT Score: 1304

The average SAT score of the admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 1304 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1304 — Competitive

This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1304 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1190, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1190 then you are below most of the admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1340 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300

Can I get into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a 1350 SAT?

With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville are good but the admission staff at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 28.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 28 — Competitive

This score makes The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 28 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a 31 ACT?

A 31 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether The University of Tennessee-Knoxville uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 31 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 28

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Profile

Is a The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
The University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, AL	1287	28
University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ	1261	26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	Prescott, AZ	1256	27
Biola University	La Mirada, CA	1258	27
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego, CA	1278	26
Thomas Aquinas College	Santa Paula, CA	1277	29
United States Coast Guard Academy	New London, CT	1290	28
University of Central Florida	Orlando, FL	1277	27
Eckerd College	Saint Petersburg, FL	1256	27
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach	Daytona Beach, FL	1256	27

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of the Pacific	Stockton, CA	1303	27
University of San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	1313	29
University of Delaware	Newark, DE	1297	29
Rollins College	Winter Park, FL	1304	29
Agnes Scott College	Decatur, GA	1296	29

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Hendrix College	Conway, AR	1336	29
Chapman University	Orange, CA	1353	30
Pepperdine University	Malibu, CA	1367	29
Westmont College	Santa Barbara, CA	1367	32
University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	1353	31

Degree Programs at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

Frequently Asked Questions About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Admissions