Auburn University vs The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Auburn University and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is more selective with a 46.0% acceptance rate compared to Auburn University's 50.5%. Average SAT scores are 1318 and 1304 respectively.

Cost: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville offers a lower average net price at $18,109, which is $5,788 less than Auburn University ($23,897). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Auburn University earn a median salary of $65,337 ten years after enrollment, which is $5,088 more than The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates ($60,249).

Graduation: Auburn University leads with a 80.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 93.2% vs 91.1%.

Campus Size: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the larger campus with 28,763 total students, while Auburn University has 25,732.

Bottom Line: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville wins on affordability while Auburn University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.