Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Knoxville, Tennessee
46% Acceptance Rate
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
46%Acceptance Rate
3.66Avg GPA
1304Avg SAT
28Avg ACT
$32,658Annual Cost
$60,249Grad Salary
20.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
46%
Avg GPA
3.66
Avg SAT
1304
Avg ACT
28
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1190–1340
ACT Middle 50%
25–31
Avg Net Price
$18,109
Need-Based Aid
20.7% receive Pell
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, founded in 1794, is Tennessee's flagship public research university and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Ranked among the top national public universities by U.S. News, UTK offers 360+ degree programs across 11 colleges, with particular strengths in business, engineering, and the sciences. The university's 600-acre urban campus features iconic landmarks like the Ayres Hall clock tower and modern facilities including the $129 million Student Union and the recently completed Mossman Building for chemistry. UTK's research expenditures exceed $300 million annually, with leadership in neutron science, advanced materials, and energy technologies.
UTK's location in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains provides outdoor recreation alongside urban amenities. The university's Volunteers compete in NCAA Division I athletics in the SEC conference, with legendary football traditions at Neyland Stadium. UTK's Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy and Haslam College of Business are nationally recognized. The campus's lively Greek system and over 500 student organizations create a vibrant student experience, while the university's land-grant mission drives extensive outreach programs across Tennessee.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Acceptance Rate
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville admits roughly 46% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 46% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
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
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 87 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
December 15
Decision by: March 9
💡 The scholarship deadline (January 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 3.66. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.36 and 3.66? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.86–4.06.The University of Tennessee-Knoxville GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.66 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.46 – 3.65
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.26 – 3.45
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.25
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Fall 2026 early action deadline (Nov 1) drew about 59,197 applications - UT is a high-volume, holistic-review flagship, not a rolling-admission safety school anymore.
- University Honors decisions are released in tiers: Chancellor's Honors mid-December, Haslam Leadership Scholars semifinalist notice in spring, with waitlist movement continuing into April.
- Required supplemental items beyond the Common App include a Self-Reported Transcript (STARS) and standardized test scores tracked through the "Go Vols Portal" missing-items checklist.
- Only one general optional essay exists (extenuating circumstances) plus one major-specific scholarship essay for Ag Sciences applicants - there is no broad "why us" or "tell us about yourself" prompt.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Without SAT or ACT?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires SAT or ACT scores. Applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Average SAT Score: 1304
The average SAT score of admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is 1304 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1304 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1340 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? The University of Tennessee-Knoxville allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1190, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 630 | 590 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 600 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1304 | 1190 | 1340 |
Below 1190, you're behind most admitted students; at 1340 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
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 average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 28 | 24 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 28 | 25 | 31 |
Can I get into The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a 31 ACT?
A 31 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Use the Nov 1 EA deadline as your Honors gateway, not just an app deadline
UT's Chancellor's Honors and Haslam Leadership Scholars programs only open to students who apply by November 1 and hold roughly a 4.0 weighted core GPA - miss this date and you forfeit both honors tracks entirely, regardless of later stats. Submit by November 1 even if you're not sure about honors; you can't add it retroactively.
Skip the optional "extenuating circumstances" essay unless it truly applies
UT's only general-applicant supplemental prompt is optional and specifically about circumstances that hurt your academic performance (illness, family emergency, lack of resources) - it is not a general "tell us more about you" essay. Writing a generic personal-growth essay here reads as a missed prompt; leave it blank unless you have a real, specific academic-impact story, and if you do, name the concrete effect on grades or attendance rather than describing the hardship in the abstract.
Chancellor's Honors and Haslam Leadership Scholars are separate applications with separate materials
Chancellor's Honors requires written application essays; Haslam Leadership Scholars requires a video and r?sum? instead, with semifinalists getting a Zoom interview. Decide early which track fits your strengths - a strong on-camera communicator should lean into Haslam Leadership Scholars, a stronger writer should focus energy on Chancellor's Honors - because the two committees evaluate different materials and you shouldn't split effort evenly by default.
If applying for the Ag Sciences scholarship, treat the 600-800 word essay as a distinct application
Only declared Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majors can access this optional scholarship essay, and it's evaluated separately from general admission. Name a specific financial need or circumstance explicitly if one exists - vague statements about "the cost of college" score worse than a concrete number or situation tied to your family's farm, land, or income.
Expert Insight:
UT received nearly 60,000 applications by the November 1 EA deadline for Fall 2026, and 384 honors students were later pulled off the waitlist in February - don't assume a honors denial in December is final if your senior-year grades or awards improve; appeal with updated academic information before the appeal deadline rather than assuming the door is shut.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Profile
Full Name
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
City
Knoxville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37996
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Degree Worth It?
Whether The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.03%.
How much does a degree from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Cost?
The sticker price is $32,658/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $18,109.
20.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 30.1% take federal loans at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. File your FAFSA early and list The University of Tennessee-Knoxville as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $60,249. That's about 48% above the U.S. median graduate income.
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
Frequently Asked Questions About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Admissions
Median graduate earnings at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville run about $60,249 a year.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville costs roughly $32,658 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Pell Grant rate of 20.7% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 46%, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville average a 3.66 GPA.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.36 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.26, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — aim above 1304, ideally within the 1190–1340 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is November 1 for Early Action applicants.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is January 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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