The University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public research university in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with about 10,074 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 81.09% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,151 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,448
- 2024 Average Net Price: $14,265 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 81.09% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 10,074 91.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 50.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 29.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 5.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 70.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1147
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,915
- Applicants (IPEDS): 9,096
- Room & Board: $12,604 annual estimate
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga: what the data shows
Common questions about The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN (ZIP 37403-2598).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga public or private?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a Public institution.
How much does The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga cost?
Published tuition: $10,448 in-state, $18,512 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $14,265.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,876 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,919 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,594 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,374 |
| $110,001+ | $19,137 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $41,792.
How hard is it to get into The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
Admission rate: 81.09%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1147 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
Total enrollment: 10,074 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 10,915 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,573 students.
About 91% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
150%-time completion rate: 50.24%.
First-year retention: 72.5%.
What do graduates of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earn?
Median earnings: $42,209 six years after entry; $51,151 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
32.80% of students receive Pell grants.
What is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (250 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (206 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (196 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (120 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (113 completions)
- Communication and Media Studies (111 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (110 completions)
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (108 completions)
- Computer Science (94 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (92 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 81.09%; completion rate 50.24%; median earnings $51,151 at 10 years; net price $14,265. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,448
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga was $10,448.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$14,265
2024 Value
In 2024 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,265.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$57,060 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$14,265 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$41,792 4-Year In-State Tuition
$74,048 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,604 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,400 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,452 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$97,808 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Financial Aid by Income Level
32.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
37.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,554 | $22,760 | $12,056 |
| 2014 | $8,138 | $24,256 | $12,404 |
| 2015 | $8,356 | $24,474 | $13,378 |
| 2016 | $8,544 | $24,662 | $14,673 |
| 2017 | $8,664 | $24,782 | $14,892 |
| 2018 | $8,664 | $24,782 | $14,213 |
| 2019 | $9,656 | $25,774 | $12,952 |
| 2020 | $9,656 | $25,774 | $14,040 |
| 2021 | $9,848 | $25,966 | $12,732 |
| 2022 | $9,848 | $25,966 | $13,539 |
| 2023 | $10,144 | $18,208 | $12,817 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
81.09% Acceptance Rate
9,096 Total Applicants
7,006 Students Admitted
2,381 First-Time Students Enrolled
33.99% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1147
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga reported total enrollment of about 10,074 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.0%), Black or African American (9.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (6.7%). About 32.80% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 29.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2024 is 10,074 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 10,915 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,573 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
34.92% 100% Completion Time
50.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 34.92% of students graduating from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 17% male / 83% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 60% male / 40% female
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 43% male / 57% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$51,151 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
38.12% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
796.44% Return on Investment
3.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 63 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 250 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 206 completions
3. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 196 completions
4. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 120 completions
5. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 113 completions
6. Communication and Media Studies: 111 completions
7. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 110 completions
8. Teacher Education, Multiple Levels: 108 completions
9. Computer Science: 94 completions
Most popular programs at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 70.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,181
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,232
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, TN, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Enrollment is approximately 10,074 students. Student body composition includes White (74.0%), Black or African American (9.8%), Hispanic or Latino (6.7%). The admission rate is 81.09%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1147. The 150%-time completion rate is 50.24%. Approximately 32.80% of students receive Pell Grants. About 29.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 63 distinct degree programs, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga located?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is located in Chattanooga, TN.
What is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is 81.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 9,096 applicants and 7,006 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga cost?
Reported tuition is $10,448 and average net price is $14,265 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,604 annually.
What is the student body demographics at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga reports undergraduate enrollment of about 10,915 students, White (74.0%), Black or African American (9.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
About 29.3% of students at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga reports midpoint SAT about 1147 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga earn?
Median earnings are $42,209 six years after entry and $51,151 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The 150%-time completion rate is 50.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga public or private?
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, TN.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga an HBCU?
No. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga a tribal college?
No. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Tennessee college profile
- Tennessee college costs
- Tennessee colleges by ROI
- The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Middle Tennessee State University
- Chattanooga, Tennessee city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Tennessee
- Tennessee college costs
- Tennessee colleges by ROI
- The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga vs Middle Tennessee State University
- Chattanooga, Tennessee city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Tennessee
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.