The University of Tennessee: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 79%. To apply, students can use the Common Application or The University of Tennessee application. UT Knoxville ranks among the top Tennessee colleges and the top South Central colleges and universities.

Considering applying to UT Knoxville? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why the University of Tennessee?

• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
• Campus Features: UT's attractive 910-acre campus sits along the banks of the Tennessee River. The university's red brick buildings stand alongside tree-lined walks, quadrangles, and park spaces.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 17:1
• Athletics: The UT Volunteers compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference
• Highlights: The flagship campus of the Tennessee state university system, UT Knoxville has a rich history dating back to 1794. Business fields frequently do well in national rankings, and strengths in the liberal arts and sciences earned the school a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, the University of Tennessee had an acceptance rate of 79%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 79 students were admitted, making UT's admissions process somewhat selective.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, UT Knoxville also has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and meaningful extracurricular activities can strengthen your application, as can a rigorous course schedule. Some applicants may also benefit from submitting an optional supporting personal statement and optional letters of recommendation.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of accepted students had high school GPAs of 3.0 or higher, ACT composite scores of 20 or higher, and combined SAT scores of 1000 or better (ERW+M). Higher grades and scores significantly increase your chances acceptance.