University of Tennessee acceptance rate and admissions profile
University of Tennessee is a public university in Tennessee that admits roughly 42% of applicants, which puts it in the selective range. A rate like this means it admits a minority of applicants; the bar is less about clearing a single cutoff and more about how your full profile compares to admitted students.
Use this page to see what University of Tennessee weighs, where it ranks among Tennessee schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1330, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into University of Tennessee?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Tennessee, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into University of Tennessee?
At University of Tennessee, your real chance depends on far more than the published 42% admit rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Tennessee in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is University of Tennessee hard to get into?
University of Tennessee is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 42% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Tennessee?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Tennessee, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. University of Tennessee reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for University of Tennessee?
University of Tennessee does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1330. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of Tennessee.
What University of Tennessee looks for
What University of Tennessee weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
University of Tennessee signals that it values rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores above the rest of the file. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Tennessee's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at University of Tennessee
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of Tennessee compares in Tennessee
University of Tennessee ranks #3 most selective of 33 schools in Tennessee in our database.
Among the 33 Tennessee schools we track, University of Tennessee ranks #3 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Vanderbilt University (6%) and Fisk University (37%) sit nearby, which makes Tennessee a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to University of Tennessee
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
If University of Tennessee is on your list, schools with a similar admit profile are worth a look: NC State University, UC Davis, and University of Illinois. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Tennessee value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of Tennessee weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does University of Tennessee favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, University of Tennessee generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at University of Tennessee?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Tennessee specifically.
Is University of Tennessee test-optional?
Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm University of Tennessee's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1330; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.
How does residency affect admission to University of Tennessee?
As a public university, University of Tennessee typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.