Tennessee Acceptance Rate 2026: About 47.8% Completed-Application Admit Rate, GPA, SAT & ACT Guide
Direct answer: For the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Fall 2026 acceptance rate is about 47.8% when calculated from 27,864 admitted students and 58,279 completed applications. If you divide admits by all 66,654 submitted applications, the rate is about 41.8%.
That means Tennessee is selective, but the real story is different for in-state, out-of-state, international and major-specific applicants. Nursing, engineering, architecture/design and music can require extra review or stronger preparation.
This guide answers what searchers actually need: acceptance rate, GPA range, ACT/SAT range, required test scores, deadlines, guaranteed admission, application checklist, cost, international rules, video help and official UT links.
27,864 admits from 58,279 completed Fall 2026 applications.
27,864 admits from 66,654 submitted applications.
Fall 2026 admitted-student UT Core Weighted GPA range.
Overall admitted-student ACT composite range, SAT equivalent 1300–1440.
Quick navigation for Tennessee applicants
Tennessee acceptance rate 2026: the number searchers need first
| Searcher question | Official-data answer | What it means for applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee acceptance rate 2026 | About 47.8% using completed applications. | UT is selective but still reachable for prepared applicants. |
| Submitted-application calculation | About 41.8% using all submitted applications. | This is a stricter calculation because some submitted files may not be completed. |
| Total admitted | 27,864 admitted students for Fall 2026. | UT builds a large class, but not everyone who applies is competitive. |
| In-state admitted | 9,042 admitted Tennessee students. | In-state students have a separate guaranteed-admission pathway if they qualify. |
| Out-of-state admitted | 18,558 admitted out-of-state students. | Out-of-state admission is competitive and score/GPA ranges are strong. |
| International admitted | 264 admitted international students. | International students should check English proficiency, testing and program requirements early. |
Tennessee GPA, ACT and SAT requirements for 2026 applicants
GPA answer
Admitted Fall 2026 students: 4.08–4.50 mid-50% UT Core Weighted GPA overall. Tennessee in-state range: 4.07–4.50; out-of-state: 4.11–4.50; international: 3.81–4.33.
ACT/SAT answer
Admitted Fall 2026 students: 28–32 mid-50% ACT composite overall, equal to about 1300–1440 SAT.
Test-score policy
UT Knoxville requires first-year applicants to self-report ACT or SAT scores. It is not test optional for first-year applicants.
Official score timing
UT says official scores must be sent directly from the testing agency and received by the stated deadline after admission/enrollment steps.
| Profile item | Fall 2026 admitted range | Applicant strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Overall UT Core Weighted GPA | 4.08–4.50 | Course rigor matters. Do not rely on GPA alone if senior schedule is weak. |
| Tennessee in-state GPA | 4.07–4.50 | Check guaranteed-admission rules if you are a Tennessee resident. |
| Out-of-state GPA | 4.11–4.50 | OOS applicants should treat UT as more competitive than the overall admit rate suggests. |
| Overall ACT | 28–32 | Submit/self-report your best scores correctly through the application and portal. |
| Tennessee in-state ACT | 26–32 | A 24+ ACT can matter for guaranteed admission only if other criteria are met. |
| Out-of-state ACT | 29–32 | Out-of-state applicants should aim above the basic minimum and show strong coursework. |
Tennessee application deadlines: Early Action and Regular Decision
| Application step | Deadline / timing | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action submission | November 1 | Submit Go Vols Application or Common App by this date. |
| Early Action materials | November 15 | Complete STARS, self-report grades and self-report ACT/SAT scores. |
| Tennessee Early Action release | Early December | In-state early-action students usually receive decisions first. |
| Out-of-state Early Action release | Mid-December | OOS early-action applicants receive decisions separately. |
| Regular Decision submission | January 5 | Submit application by this date for regular review. |
| Regular Decision materials | January 20 | Complete missing materials in the Go Vols Portal. |
| Regular Decision release | Early March | Check Go Vols Portal and email for decision updates. |
| Confirmation deadline | May 1, 11:59 p.m. ET | Confirm enrollment only after reviewing aid, housing and major fit. |
Tennessee in-state guaranteed admission: who qualifies?
Who it is for
Tennessee high school residents attending a Tennessee high school who apply by UT’s Early Action deadlines.
Test-score rule
24+ ACT composite or 1160+ SAT, plus 19+ ACT Math / 510+ SAT Math and 19+ ACT English / 500+ SAT ERW.
GPA or rank rule
Student must earn a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or rank in the top 10% of the high school graduating class.
Major warning
Guaranteed admission to UT does not guarantee admission to the first-choice major if the program has extra review.
Tennessee application materials: what you need before review
| Material | Official UT detail | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Use Go Vols Application or Common Application. | Submitting application but not completing required materials. |
| STARS | Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System with high school grades and unofficial transcript upload. | Leaving STARS incomplete after submitting the application. |
| Test scores | First-year applicants must self-report ACT/SAT scores. | Assuming UT is test optional or forgetting to update scores in the portal. |
| Essay | One required essay; choose one of seven prompts. | Writing a generic essay that does not show maturity, direction or context. |
| Fee | $75 nonrefundable first-year application fee; waivers available for eligible U.S. citizens/permanent residents. | Waiting too late to request or process waiver documentation. |
| Optional statement | Can explain circumstances that affected academic performance. | Using it as a second essay instead of providing helpful context. |
Major-specific review: where Tennessee can be more competitive
| Program / college | Why it matters | Best applicant evidence |
|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing | Direct-entry nursing applicants are required to include standardized test scores and are reviewed on multiple academic factors. | Strong science/math performance, high GPA, strong test score and nursing-first major choice. |
| Tickle College of Engineering | Engineering and computer science applicants can face stronger preparation expectations. | Math rigor, physics, coding, engineering projects, robotics, competitions or technical work. |
| College of Architecture and Design | Program-specific requirements may apply. | Design interest, visual thinking, rigorous academics and review of extra requirements. |
| Natalie L. Haslam College of Music | Some concentrations may require audition and/or interview. | Prepare audition/interview materials early and do not wait until application week. |
| Business, pre-health, data or popular majors | High demand can make major fit more important. | Show relevant coursework, activities, leadership, work experience or academic direction. |
Tennessee admissions video guide
Watch the video, then use the checklist below to improve the parts of your UT application that actually affect review.
How to apply to Tennessee: scan-first checklist
Tennessee cost and aid: what applicants should know
| Cost / aid item | Official detail | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate total cost estimate | One Stop lists estimated annual total cost of attendance as $39,494 in-state and $58,938 out-of-state. | Compare total cost, not tuition alone. |
| Tuition line item | One Stop lists tuition as $11,560 in-state and $31,672 out-of-state. | Add fees, housing, books, transport and personal expenses. |
| Scholarships and grants | UT says it paid more than $84 million in scholarships and grants to Fall 2025 first-year students. | Meet admission and scholarship deadlines; submit test scores by scholarship rules. |
| Debt outcome | UT says more than 50% of students graduate with no debt. | File FAFSA and compare aid before confirming enrollment. |
| International aid | International students are not eligible for U.S. federal/state aid, may be considered for some scholarships, and UT does not provide fully funded scholarships. | Plan funding early and check program-specific requirements. |
International applicants: extra items to check
If your native language is not English and you are not a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, UT may require approved English proficiency proof unless an exemption applies.
International students do not need STARS unless they attended a high school in the United States.
Architecture/design, nursing, music and engineering/computer science can have extra standardized test or program requirements.
International students are considered similarly to out-of-state applicants for some scholarships, but UT does not provide fully funded international scholarships.
Common mistakes that hurt Tennessee applicants
- Using only the 47.8% rate: Residency and major can change competitiveness.
- Thinking UT is test optional: First-year applicants must self-report ACT/SAT scores.
- Submitting but not completing: STARS and test scores must be completed by materials deadlines.
- Ignoring the Go Vols Portal: Missing items appear there; check it often.
- Choosing Nursing without score awareness: Nursing specifically considers standardized test scores.
- Applying Regular Decision when Early Action was possible: Early Action affects timing, scholarships and guaranteed-admission review.
- Weak senior coursework: UT reviews difficulty of senior-level coursework.
- Generic essay: Use the required essay to explain something meaningful, not just praise UT.
- Missing scholarship score deadlines: Official scores have separate timing rules.
- International paperwork delay: English proficiency and program-specific requirements need early planning.
Official Tennessee links and sources
The key official details are already included above. Use these links before submitting to confirm current rules and dates.
Official source for Fall 2026 admitted count, application trends, GPA and ACT ranges.
Official checklist, required materials, essay, fee and review factors.
Early Action, Regular Decision, decision release, score and confirmation dates.
Official ACT/SAT self-reporting and verified-score policy.
Official Tennessee resident guaranteed-admission criteria.
Official undergraduate cost of attendance, tuition and expense estimates.
FAQs about Tennessee acceptance rate 2026
What is the Tennessee acceptance rate for 2026?
For UT Knoxville, the Fall 2026 acceptance rate is about 47.8% using completed applications: 27,864 admitted students from 58,279 completed applications. Using all submitted applications, it is about 41.8%.
How many students applied to Tennessee for Fall 2026?
UT Knoxville reported 66,654 submitted applications by December 15 and 58,279 completed applications by January 17.
How many students were admitted to Tennessee for Fall 2026?
UT admitted 27,864 students for Fall 2026, including 9,042 in-state students, 18,558 out-of-state students and 264 international students.
What GPA do you need for Tennessee?
Fall 2026 admitted students had a mid-50% UT Core Weighted GPA range of 4.08–4.50 overall. Tennessee guaranteed admission can require a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or top 10% class rank plus score and deadline criteria.
What SAT or ACT score is good for Tennessee?
Fall 2026 admitted students had a mid-50% ACT range of 28–32 overall, with SAT equivalent 1300–1440. Out-of-state admits were stronger at 29–32 ACT.
Is Tennessee test optional?
No. UT Knoxville requires first-year undergraduate applicants to self-report ACT or SAT scores as part of the application.
What are Tennessee application deadlines?
For first-year Summer/Fall entry, Early Action submission is November 1, Early Action materials are due November 15, Regular Decision submission is January 5 and Regular Decision materials are due January 20.
Does Tennessee use the Common App?
Yes. Students can apply to UT Knoxville through the Go Vols Application or the Common Application.
Does Tennessee have guaranteed admission?
Yes. Eligible Tennessee high school residents who apply by Early Action deadlines can qualify with required ACT/SAT scores plus either a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or top 10% class rank.
How can I improve my Tennessee application?
Apply early, complete STARS, self-report ACT/SAT scores, choose a realistic major, write a strong essay, show rigorous coursework and check the Go Vols Portal for missing materials.