University of Tennessee Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 04/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

The University of Tennessee (UT), located in Knoxville, is a public research university that offers nationally-ranked programs in supply chain management and logistics, accounting, business administration, and social work.

The University of Tennessee tuition for 2022-23 for in-state students was $13,244, which was a little higher than the national average of $10,940. For out-of-state residents, tuition was $31,664, more than the average nationwide of $28,240 for out-of-state students.

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

Nearly every student at UT (92%) uses one or more types of financial aid to help pay for the University of Tennessee’s costs. This may include scholarships, grants, or loans.

Explore financial aid options: Tennessee Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like 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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than 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 and federal and school deadlines may differ.

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

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At the University of Tennessee, 30% of students take out federal student loans and 7% take out private student loans. The average private student loan is $19,631.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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 as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your 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 of tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses would be $130,632 for Tennessee residents and $204,312 for out-of-state students.

In comparison, the national average for tuition and other expenses at public universities for in-state students is $106,760, and $175,960 for out-of-state tuition.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The total cost for University of Tennessee tuition and fees and room and board for in-state students was $25,394, and it was $43,814 for out-of-state students in 2022-23.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The total University of Tennessee tuition for graduate school was $13,380 for state residents in 2022-23. This is much lower than the average cost of a Master’s degree in the U.S. of $29,150. The total cost for out-of-state residents was slightly higher than the national average at $31,798.

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

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour for Tennessee residents is $455. Out-of-state residents will pay $1,227 per credit hour.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Based on one-bedroom pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on University of Tennessee’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

At UT, 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 same 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

Fall 2021

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

Recommended:

•  Recommendation letters (academic, professional, or personal)

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

The UT Early Admission application deadline is November 1, and the Regular Admission deadline is December 15.

SAT and ACT Scores

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

Popular Majors at the University of Tennessee

UT offers more than 360 undergraduate degree programs for students to choose from. These are the most popular.

1. Supply Chain Management

The Supply Chain Management Bachelor of Science 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 2020-21: 361

2. Psychology

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

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 354

3. Nursing

In addition to classwork on how to care for adults, mental health, maternal and newborn nursing, and pediatric nursing, students will also get real-world experience.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 257

4. Biological Science

In this program, Biological Science majors can opt for a concentration like Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, or the Biology of Global Health.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 254

5. 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 2020-21: 67

6. 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 2020-21: 232

7. 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 2020-21: 192

8. 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 2020-21: 186

9. Statistics

Statistics majors take courses like Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers, Regression Modelling, Introduction to Database Systems, and Data Mining and Business Analytics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 178

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 2020-21: 146

Graduation Rate

Here are the graduation rates at the University of Tennessee.

•  4 years: 54%

•  6 years: 72%

•  8 years: 74%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After completing an undergraduate degree at UT, you can expect to earn o$52,676 per year, on average. That’s more than the national average for graduates of public institutions, which is $47,922.