Skip to content

College Comparison

University of Virginia vs The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

School

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUVATennessee
Acceptance Rate16.9%wins46.0%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1410–1530wins1190–1340
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–34wins25–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$58,014$31,974wins
Avg Net Price$22,881$18,109wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,863wins$60,249
Graduation Rate95.3%wins73.5%
Retention Rate97.3%wins91.1%
Student–Faculty Ratio15:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment17,31528,763wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UVA edges out Tennessee on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UVA Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 16.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1410–1530
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–34
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,863

Tennessee Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $31,974
  • Avg Net Price: $18,109
  • Total Enrollment: 28,763

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons