The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Acceptance Rate
Knoxville, Tennessee · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 50,488
- Admitted
- 23,221
- Yield
- 28.8%
- Test policy
- Test scores required
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's acceptance rate has fallen from 74.8% in 2014–15 to 46% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 15,442 to 50,488 (+227%) over that period.
Its 46% rate makes The University of Tennessee-Knoxville more selective than about 87% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 33 tracked Tennessee schools, it is more selective than about 94%.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires SAT/ACT scores for admission. Of admitted students, 28.8% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 15,442 | 11,555 | 74.8% | 4,701 |
| 2015–16 | 17,081 | 13,032 | 76.3% | 4,719 |
| 2016–17 | 17,583 | 13,578 | 77.2% | 4,851 |
| 2017–18 | 18,872 | 14,526 | 77% | 4,895 |
| 2018–19 | 20,457 | 15,912 | 77.8% | 5,215 |
| 2019–20 | 21,764 | 17,160 | 78.8% | 5,254 |
| 2020–21 | 25,423 | 19,867 | 78.1% | 5,512 |
| 2021–22 | 29,909 | 22,413 | 74.9% | 5,948 |
| 2022–23 | 36,290 | 24,826 | 68.4% | 6,846 |
| 2023–24 | 50,488 | 23,221 | 46% | 6,694 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 30,154 | 13,858 | 46% |
| Men | 20,334 | 9,363 | 46% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test scores required.
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 600–670 | 28% |
| SAT Math | 590–670 | |
| ACT Composite | 25–31 | 78% |
How The University of compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's acceptance rate?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's acceptance rate is 46% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (23,221 admitted of 50,488 applicants).
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville test optional?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville requires SAT or ACT scores for admission.
How many people apply to The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville received 50,488 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 23,221.
What SAT score do you need for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Admitted students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville typically scored 600–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 590–670 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville getting harder to get into?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 74.8% in 2014–15 to 46% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.utk.edu/.