At $18,109/yr net price, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn $60,249/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,249/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,109 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,436 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,249/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,249/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 73.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,397/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,714/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,820/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,297/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,438/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $138,932 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $121,650 | |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $99,662 | $31,504 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $99,251 | $40,816 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,502 | $61,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $90,412 | |
| Veterinary Medicine. | Doctoral | $75,832 | $163,453 |
| Nuclear Engineering. | Doctoral | $75,204 | |
| Nuclear Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,204 | $22,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $21,565 |
The Risk Factor
73.5% of students at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville gives you a solid financial return, driven almost entirely by its engineering programs. With a 73.5% graduation rate and a 91% retention rate, most people who start here finish, which is the first thing that keeps debt from becoming dead weight. Median debt sits below the median 10-year earnings, so the typical borrower carries a manageable load.
The payoff is concentrated in engineering. Nuclear engineering leads at over $75,000, and electrical, industrial, chemical, and mechanical engineering all clear $66,000 while carrying debt in the low $20,000s. That combination , high pay, moderate borrowing , is where UT-Knoxville earns its keep. If you enroll in one of these programs, the math works clearly in your favor.
The risk is what the data doesn't show. No non-engineering bachelor's programs appear among the top earners here, so if you major outside engineering, you're closer to the school-wide median of about $60,000, and your return depends heavily on the field you pick. The engineering numbers don't transfer to a liberal arts or general studies degree.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,400 a year. over $110,000, that jumps to roughly $25,400. For lower-income families, the price is low enough that even a mid-earning major pays back. For higher-income families, the full sticker means an engineering major is the safest bet to justify the cost.
This school fits you well if you're headed into engineering or a specific technical field and can graduate on time. If you're undecided or leaning toward lower-paying majors and your family pays the top net price tier, look hard at whether the return justifies the four-year bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville worth the cost?
UTK offers solid value with a net price of $18,109 and graduates earning $60,249 after 10 years. The return depends heavily on your major, with dentistry and pharmacy grads earning over $120,000 while other programs vary widely.
What are the highest paying majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
Dentistry leads at $138,932, followed by pharmacy at $121,650 and business management at $99,662. These professional programs justify the investment, while other majors may not provide the same financial return.
How much student debt do University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates typically have?
UTK graduates leave with a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to the national average. The relatively low debt load helps improve the school's overall value proposition.
Does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville have good financial aid?
With a net price of $18,109 for the average student, UTK provides decent financial aid that keeps costs reasonable for a public university. The 68% acceptance rate means most qualified students can access this pricing.