University of Tennessee Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 09/2026)

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also known as UT Knoxville, is the flagship campus of the five-campus University of Tennessee system. The public, four-year research institution is known for its supply chain and science programs and is home to the UT Space Institute and the UT Institute of Agriculture.

Here’s an overview of University of Tennessee tuition costs for both in-state and out-of-state students, housing and other expenses, the acceptance rate, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid

Nearly every student at UT Knoxville (93%) uses one or more types of financial aid to help pay for the University of Tennessee’s costs. These may include scholarships, grants, and/or loans, such as the Tri-Star Scholarship Program and Pell Grants.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs such as tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money to cover their expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than that of private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education : Search for grants from colleges and universities by state.

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) : This is a global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid.

Recommended: Tennessee Student Loan & Scholarships

Private Student Loans

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 29% of students take out federal student loans, and 11% take out private student loans. The average private student loan is $50,955 at graduation.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline, or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The University of Tennessee cost for four years, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses, would be $157,976 for undergraduate Tennessee residents (based on 2026-27 numbers). This is higher than the national average of $123,960 for in-state students at public universities.

For undergraduate residents from other states, the total cost of UT Knoxville would be $229,792, which is more than the national average of $203,680 for out-of-state students at public universities.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2026-27

University of Tennessee tuition and fees are $14,004 for in-state students and $34,478 for out-of-state students in 2026-27. Books and supplies are $1,598. This comes to a total cost of $15,602 for in-state students and $36,076 for out-of-state students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The average cost of University of Tennessee tuition and fees, books, and supplies for graduate school is $15,812 for in-state residents for the 2026-27 academic year. In comparison, the average cost of graduate school in the U.S. is $22,430, per academic year, not including course materials.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

UT Knoxville uses a flat-rate bracket system for full-time students. For in-state students who take 12 or more credit hours, the base tuition is capped at a flat $5,780 per semester. Out-of-state students taking 12 or more credits must pay the capped base tuition in addition to an out-of-state tuition surcharge of $10,056.

Campus Housing Expenses

At UT Knoxville, freshmen are required to live on campus. Students can choose from apartment-style housing, residence halls, and community-style halls. There are also Living and Learning Communities where students can live with others who share their interests and fields of study.

For upperclassmen, there are many off-campus housing options within walking distance of the university.

University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

When applying to the University of Tennessee, here’s what you’ll need to submit with your application.

Required:

•  High school academic record

•  Standardized test scores

•  Essay

Optional:

•  Recommendation letters (academic, professional, or personal)

•  Supporting statement (might include academic achievements, community involvement, and other information about your experiences and background)

The UT Knoxville Early Action application deadline is November 1, and the Regular Decision Admission deadline is January 5.

SAT and ACT Scores

Here are the standardized test scores of accepted students at UT Knoxville.

Popular Majors at the University of Tennessee

UT Knoxville offers numerous degree programs across ​​12 academic colleges and the Baker School of Public Policy. These are some of the most popular majors.

1. Supply Chain Management

The Supply Chain Management Bachelor of Science (BS) degree has several areas of focus to choose from, including Business Analytics, Health Integrated and Business Engineering, Information Management, or International Business.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 419

2. Psychology

Psychology students will learn research methods they can apply in hands-on lab work. They’ll take courses such as Child Development, Cognitive Basis of Behavior, and Evolutionary Psychology and Ethology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 644

3. Marketing

Depending on a student’s interest, a marketing degree can focus on Business Analytics, Customer and Brand Strategy, Digital and Visual Marketing, Professional Sales, Health Integrated Business and Engineering, Information Management, International Business, or Supply Chain Management.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 616

4. Nursing

Students train for future placement as a licensed registered nurse. The school also offers an accelerated track for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for non-nurses who already have a college degree and want to pursue a career in nursing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 682

5. Biological Sciences

In this program, biological science majors can opt for a concentration like Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, or Global Health.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 266

6. Finance

Students interested in pursuing a BS degree in finance learn how to assess financial statements, construct investment portfolios, present financial data, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 457

7. Kinesiology

Kinesiology students learn about exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology, motor behavior, and physical activity epidemiology. Many choose to pursue a master’s degree. They typically go on to have careers in physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, or athletic training, or as physician assistants.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 296

8. Business Analytics & Statistics

Another top major at UT Knoxville is Business Analytics & Statistics, which focuses on applied statistics. Students learn how to gather data about an organization’s performance, analyze it to offer business solutions, and make predictions about further growth.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 175

9. Mechanical Engineering

After getting a solid foundation in general science, mechanical engineering students learn about mechanical design, solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, vibrations, manufacturing processes, instrumentation, and automatic control.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 247

10. Political Science

Political science students can opt for a concentration in International Affairs, Law and Courts, or Public Administration. Courses in this degree program include Introduction to Comparative Politics, Introduction to Political Philosophy, and Tennessee Government and Politics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 183

Graduation Rate

Here are the graduation rates at the University of Tennessee for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees, based on 2025 data:

•  Four years: 67%

•  Six years: 75%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

UT Knoxville graduates earn a median annual salary of $67,631. This is slightly less than the median annual salary for all graduates of four-year colleges, which is $60,377.