The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is a very large public R1 doctoral research university located in Knoxville, Tennessee, with an undergraduate enrollment of 30,418. As a Carnegie R1 doctoral research institution, it supports graduate and professional programs across a broad range of academic disciplines alongside its undergraduate curriculum, with faculty engaged in funded research programs. As a public institution primarily funded through state appropriations and federal grants, it operates within the broader Tennessee postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. With a 42% acceptance rate, admission is moderately selective. Admission is competitive but accessible, with 42% of applicants receiving offers each year. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $18,206 per year. Families earning under $30,000 average $10,029/year — substantially lower. The 4-year graduation rate is 74%, 29 percentage points above the national average of 45%. Among students who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $60,249. Median debt at graduation for federal aid recipients is $20,500. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. FIRE rates the campus free speech climate at 67/100 — a mixed record on speech protections.