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College Comparison

WashU (St. Louis) 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

WashU (St. Louis)

St. Louis, MO

School

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWashUTennessee
Acceptance Rate12.0%wins46.0%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570wins1190–1340
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins25–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,982$31,974wins
Avg Net Price$22,117$18,109wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,182wins$60,249
Graduation Rate94.5%wins73.5%
Retention Rate95.9%wins91.1%
Student–Faculty Ratio7:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment7,89728,763wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, WashU 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.

WashU Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 12.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,182

Tennessee Strengths

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

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