Knoxville, TN · Private University
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,249
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,484
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,974
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$127,896
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.88x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
73.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,109
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn $15,249 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville ranked by graduate earnings
67 graduates
49 graduates
32 graduates
74 graduates
183 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $90,584) and the lowest (Neurobiology and Neurosciences: $21,138) is $69,446/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $90,584 | 2.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,535 | 2.8x |
| Nuclear Engineering | $87,858 | 2.8x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,312 | 2.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,833 | 2.5x |
| Industrial Engineering | $77,935 | 2.4x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $74,085 | 2.3x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $72,490 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $71,799 | 2.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,659 | 2.2x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $69,618 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,864 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,331 | 2.1x |
| Economics | $65,281 | 2.0x |
| Materials Engineering(1yr data) | $63,505 | 2.0x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $62,859 | 2.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,548 | 2.0x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $60,862 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $59,952 | 1.9x |
| Marketing | $55,676 | 1.7x |
| Food Science and Technology | $53,568 | 1.7x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,859 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,183 | 1.6x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $48,310 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,099 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,707 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $47,546 | 1.5x |
| Soil Sciences | $47,438 | 1.5x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $47,117 | 1.5x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $45,448 | 1.4x |
| Mathematics | $45,382 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $45,199 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $45,182 | 1.4x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $44,973 | 1.4x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $44,785 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $44,486 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry | $44,354 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $43,320 | 1.4x |
| History | $41,303 | 1.3x |
| Social Work | $40,093 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,381 | 1.2x |
| Agricultural Public Services | $39,079 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $39,053 | 1.2x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $37,906 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $37,780 | 1.2x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $37,520 | 1.2x |
| Animal Sciences | $35,670 | 1.1x |
| Plant Sciences | $34,281 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $33,792 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,395 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,233 | 1.0x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $31,713 | 1.0x |
| Forestry(1yr data) | $31,441 | 1.0x |
| Music | $26,143 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and NeurosciencesLowest(1yr data) | $21,138 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 1.88x | $60,249 | Good ROI |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | 1.57x | $60,409 | Good ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
| Auburn University | 1.93x | $65,337 | Good ROI |
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $60,249 10 years after starting — $15,249 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.1 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.