Cost & ROI · 2026
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville worth it?
Pay $18,976/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,249 ten years out — about 3.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Tennessee avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Tennessee college and the typical US college.
| Metric | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Tennessee avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $18,976 | $16,201 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $60,249 | $46,379 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $20,500 | $19,825 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 73.9% | 45.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 41.6% | 69.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $134,712 over four years. Most students get $14,702/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $20,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 34% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median The University of Tennessee-Knoxville grad earns about $609,960 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
The average student at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville pays $18,976 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $33,678 published sticker price. That is above the TN average net price of $16,201.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $60,249 — above the TN median of $46,379. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $20,500, roughly $222 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 34% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Tennessee colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $18,976 per year. That's $14,702/yr in financial aid against the $33,678 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $75,904.
How much do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn a median of $60,249 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.2× the annual net cost.
How much debt do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $20,500 — about $222/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 28.9% of students take federal loans.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns The University of Tennessee-Knoxville a value grade of B — top 46% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $18,976/yr, earn $60,249/yr ten years out, ROI score of 7.94. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
18.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 28.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $14,702 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
In-state tuition is $13,812 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $33,256 per year — a difference of $19,444/yr or $77,776 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,029. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $25,688. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →