The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs East Tennessee State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville holds a 38-point ROI advantage over East Tennessee State University, scoring 73/100 versus 35/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, East Tennessee State University comes in at $15,983 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,976 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - a difference of $2,993 annually, or roughly $11,972 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates earn a median of $60,249 compared to $44,859 at East Tennessee State University. The payback period is 8.6 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville versus 20.7 years at East Tennessee State University.
Graduates leave East Tennessee State University with a median $19,442 in debt versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Tenness... | East Tennessee State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,812 | $10,472 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,256 | $14,522 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,976 | $15,983 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $75,904 | $63,932 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,600 | $32,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,249 | $44,859 |
| Graduation Rate | 73.9% | 53.2% |
| Payback Period | 8.6 yr | 20.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $19,442 |
| Monthly Payment | $217 | $206 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.5% | 66.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.9% | 57.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.6% | 86.2% |
| Enrollment | 30,418 | 10,004 |
| SAT Range | 1200-1370 | 980-1200 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | East Tennessee State... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,029 | $12,433 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,162 | $14,289 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,206 | $16,400 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $23,627 | $20,588 |
| $110,001+ | $25,688 | $21,193 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | East Tennessee State... |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $89,445 | $57,642 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $83,793 | $58,232 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,074 | $55,719 |
| Registered Nursing | $77,118 | $74,311 |
| Marketing | $70,661 | $58,583 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $69,047 | $41,449 |
| International Relations | $60,073 | $48,452 |
| Biology | $58,149 | $57,167 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,394 | $41,570 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,020 | $47,821 |
| Sociology | $53,635 | $36,966 |
| History | $52,505 | $44,142 |
| Mathematics | $50,605 | $49,423 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $50,585 | $44,224 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $49,785 | $43,051 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | East Tennessee State... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 73 | 29 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 71 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 52 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 84 | 45 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 59 | 30 |
| Overall ROI Score | 73 | 35 |
The Verdict
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville significantly outperforms East Tennessee State University on financial ROI (73 vs 35). The 38-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless East Tennessee State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors The University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
East Tennessee State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.