How many students applied to the University of Tennessee for Fall 2026?

UT Knoxville reported 66,654 applications submitted by the December 15 regular decision submission deadline for Fall 2026, including 14,002 in-state, 51,980 out-of-state and 672 international applications.

What are UT Knoxville application deadlines for Fall 2026?

For Fall 2026 first-year applicants, UT Knoxville lists November 1 as the Early Action submission deadline, November 15 as the Early Action completion deadline, December 15 as the Regular Decision submission deadline and January 15 as the Regular Decision completion deadline.

What is Tennessee in-state guaranteed admission at UT Knoxville?

Tennessee high school residents who apply by the Early Action deadlines can qualify for guaranteed admission by scoring 24+ ACT composite or SAT 1160+, meeting minimum math and English score requirements, and either earning a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or ranking in the top 10% of their class.

How can I improve my University of Tennessee application?

Improve your UT Knoxville application by applying early, completing STARS correctly, self-reporting all ACT or SAT scores, choosing the right college or major, writing a clear required essay, adding optional recommendations or a supporting statement when useful, and checking the Go Vols Portal for missing items.

University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide

🍊 University of Tennessee acceptance rate 2026 guide

University of Tennessee Acceptance Rate 2026: About 42%, GPA, ACT, SAT & Admissions Guide

~42%

Direct answer: For University of Tennessee, Knoxville Fall 2026 planning, the practical acceptance-rate math is about 42% using UT’s reported 27,864 admits and 66,654 submitted applications. If using completed applications, the figure is closer to 48%, so applicants should understand the number depends on the denominator used.

UT Knoxville is not an automatic admit for many applicants anymore. Fall 2026 was described by UT as its most competitive applicant pool in history, with especially strong growth from out-of-state applicants.

This guide gives the answer first, then the actions students need: GPA range, ACT/SAT range, deadlines, STARS, Go Vols Portal, guaranteed admission, test-score rules, essays, optional materials, video help and official UT links.

📊 Acceptance rate 📅 Deadlines 📚 GPA & test scores ✅ Checklist

~42% Practical 2026 admit-rate math

27,864 admitted divided by 66,654 submitted applications.

66,654 Applications submitted

Fall 2026 submitted applications by the December 15 regular deadline.

4.08–4.50 Mid-50% UT GPA

Overall admitted-student UT Core Weighted GPA range for Fall 2026.

28–32 Mid-50% ACT

Overall admitted-student composite ACT range, with SAT equivalent 1300–1440.

Quick navigation for UT Knoxville applicants

📊 Acceptance-rate answer 📅 Deadline table 📚 GPA, ACT and SAT ✅ In-state guaranteed admission 📄 Required materials 🔎 How UT reviews applications 🧾 Go Vols checklist ❓ 10 FAQs

University of Tennessee acceptance rate 2026: the number applicants want

Acceptance-rate question	Answer	What it means for you
UT Knoxville acceptance rate 2026	About 42% using 27,864 admits / 66,654 submitted applications.	Competitive, but not Ivy-level selective. Your profile still needs to be complete and strong.
Completed-application view	27,864 admits / 58,279 completed applications is about 48%.	Different sources may show different rates depending on submitted vs completed applications.
Latest CDS-style reference	Recent Common Data Set reporting has placed UTK around the low-to-mid 40% range.	Use the low-40s as the clearest planning answer, but check the latest official CDS.
In-state vs out-of-state	Fall 2026 admitted students: 9,042 in-state and 18,558 out-of-state.	Out-of-state demand is high; OOS applicants should not treat UT as a safety.
International applicants	UT listed 264 international admits for Fall 2026.	International students should prepare documents, testing and deadlines early.

Plain-English answer: UT Knoxville is a moderately selective public flagship with a practical 2026 acceptance-rate calculation around 42%. It is easier to enter than ultra-selective private universities, but much more competitive than a “just apply and get in” school.

Strong UTK application = submitted app + completed STARS + ACT/SAT scores + solid GPA + right major + required essay + clean Go Vols checklist

UT Knoxville Fall 2026 deadlines: submission vs completion matters

UT uses two deadline ideas: submitted means you sent the application; completed means UT also has STARS grades and self-reported standardized test scores.

Application plan	Submission deadline	Completion deadline	Decision release
Early Action	November 1	November 15	Tennessee EA: evening of December 8; out-of-state EA: evening of December 15
Regular Decision	December 15	January 15	Evening of March 9
Merit scholarship test-score consideration	Use regular process	January 15 for self-reported test scores	Official scores must be received by April 1, 2026
Enrollment confirmation	N/A	N/A	May 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Important: A submitted application is not the same as a completed application. To be reviewed, first-year applicants need the application, STARS self-reported grades and self-reported standardized test scores.

University of Tennessee GPA, ACT and SAT: what is competitive?

Overall admitted profile

UT Core Weighted GPA: 4.08–4.50 mid-50%

ACT: 28–32 mid-50%

SAT equivalent: 1300–1440

Tennessee admits

UT GPA: 4.07–4.50

ACT: 26–32

Strong in-state applicants should still apply early and complete STARS correctly.

Out-of-state admits

UT GPA: 4.11–4.50

ACT: 29–32

OOS applicants usually need a stronger academic profile because demand is high.

International admits

UT GPA: 3.81–4.33

ACT: 27–33

International applicants should also watch document and English-language requirements.

Your profile	How to read it	What to do
GPA above 4.5 UT Core Weighted	Academically strong compared with the mid-50% range.	Do not get careless. Finish STARS, test scores and essay cleanly.
GPA around 4.08–4.50	Inside the main admitted-student range.	Strengthen through ACT/SAT, rigor, major fit and application completeness.
GPA below 4.08	More risk, especially for competitive colleges or out-of-state review.	Use strong senior rigor, optional statement, recommendations and major fit carefully.
ACT 28–32	Inside UT’s overall admitted mid-50% range.	Submit all scores accurately; UT superscores.
ACT below 24	May be below the guaranteed-admission threshold for Tennessee residents.	Apply early, complete everything, and strengthen the rest of the file.

Testing reality: UT Knoxville requires standardized test scores for first-year admission review. ACT or SAT scores can be self-reported in the Go Vols Portal.

In-state guaranteed admission: Tennessee students should check this first

UT has a guaranteed-admission policy for eligible Tennessee high school residents who apply by the Early Action deadlines and meet the score and GPA/class-rank criteria.

Guaranteed-admission item	Requirement	Do not miss
Residency/school	Tennessee high school resident attending a Tennessee high school.	This is not the same as out-of-state review.
Deadline	Apply by Early Action deadlines.	Submit by November 1 and complete by November 15.
ACT/SAT	24+ ACT composite or SAT 1160+.	Also needs minimum math and English/reading section scores.
Section minimums	19+ ACT Math or 510+ SAT Math; 19+ ACT English or 500+ SAT ERW.	Composite alone is not enough.
GPA/rank path	4.0+ UT Core GPA or top 10% of high school class.	Confirm your UT Core GPA and rank with your counselor.

Best move for Tennessee students: Before worrying about the general acceptance rate, check whether you qualify for guaranteed admission. It can change your entire strategy.

UT Knoxville application materials: required vs optional

Go Vols Application or Common App STARS self-reported transcript Unofficial high school transcript upload Standardized test scores One required essay $75 application fee Fee waiver if eligible Optional recommendation letters Optional supporting statement Major-specific requirements if listed

Application item	What UT says / means	Common mistake
Application platform	UT accepts the Go Vols Application or the Common Application.	Submitting Common App and then ignoring the Go Vols account email.
STARS	Students must complete the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System.	Leaving grades incomplete or not uploading the unofficial transcript.
Test scores	Standardized test scores are required and can be self-reported.	Thinking UT is test optional and failing to complete the file.
Essay	One required essay from seven prompts.	Writing a generic “I like UT” answer with no academic or personal evidence.
Recommendations	Optional academic, professional or personal letters.	Adding weak letters just to add more material.
Supporting statement	Optional space to explain context or provide helpful additional information.	Repeating the essay instead of explaining something new or important.
Application fee	First-year application fee is $75 and nonrefundable.	Waiting too late for a fee waiver to process.

How UT reviews applications: what actually matters

UT says applicants outside in-state guaranteed admission are reviewed holistically. That means the application is not only a GPA-and-score spreadsheet.

Academic core GPA trend, senior course difficulty, ACT/SAT scores, curriculum rigor and college/major choice.

Experience signals Extracurriculars, leadership, work, volunteer experience, awards and special talents.

Optional support Supporting statement and recommendation letters can help when they add real context.

Major warning: Some programs and majors can have extra requirements or higher competition. Do not choose a major blindly just because the overall acceptance rate looks manageable.

University of Tennessee admissions video guide

Use this video as a quick support resource, then return to the checklist below and fix what is missing in your UT application.

After watching: write down your applicant type, UT Core GPA estimate, ACT/SAT plan, chosen major, deadline plan and any missing Go Vols checklist item.

Go Vols application checklist: finish these before review

Choose your platform Apply through the Go Vols Application or Common Application. If you use Common App, watch for the Go Vols account email.

Create or access your Go Vols Portal Common App applicants receive Go Vols account instructions after submission. The portal is where you track missing items and decisions.

Complete STARS Self-report high school grades and upload the unofficial transcript in the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System.

Self-report ACT or SAT UT requires standardized test scores. Add scores in the GPA & Tests area of the Go Vols Portal.

Write the required essay Choose one of the prompts and write a specific answer with evidence, not a generic college essay.

Add optional materials only when useful Recommendations and supporting statements should explain context, leadership, academic growth or special circumstances.

Check program-specific requirements Certain majors may require extra materials or review. Check before assuming the general list is enough.

Confirm before the completion deadline Check the Go Vols missing-items list. A submitted application is not complete until required items are received.

Which applicants are strongest for UT Knoxville?

Strong in-state applicant

Meets guaranteed admission or sits near the admitted GPA/ACT profile, applies Early Action and completes STARS/test scores by November 15.

Strong out-of-state applicant

Has GPA and ACT/SAT near the higher admitted range, clear major fit and no missing Go Vols items.

Risky applicant

Submits the application but misses STARS, test scores, essay, completion deadline or major-specific requirements.

Borderline applicant

Should use optional statement/recommendations strategically, show course rigor and avoid weak or incomplete materials.

Common mistakes that hurt UT applicants

Thinking submitted means complete: UT needs the application, STARS and self-reported test scores.
Missing Early Action completion: November 15 matters for EA completion and guaranteed admission timing.
Assuming test optional: UT requires standardized test scores for first-year applicants.
Ignoring Go Vols Portal: Missing-item checklists are shown there.
Choosing a major without checking requirements: Some programs may need extra review or materials.
Writing a flat essay: Use evidence, growth and fit instead of broad praise for Tennessee.
Submitting weak optional letters: Optional does not mean automatically helpful.
Not using superscore advantage: UT uses superscoring, so report scores carefully.
Out-of-state safety-school mistake: OOS applicant volume is high; treat UT as competitive.
Waiting on fee-waiver processing: Fee-waiver processing can take time.

Official University of Tennessee links and sources

The key details are summarized above. Use these official pages to confirm current requirements before submitting.

Fall 2026 Release Summary

Official UT source for Fall 2026 admits, submitted applications, GPA/ACT profile, review factors and decision timelines.

Open Fall 2026 Release Summary

First-Year Student Application

Official required materials, fee, essay, STARS, test scores and first-year deadlines.

Open First-Year Application Page

Important Dates & Deadlines

Official Early Action, Regular Decision, completion, confirmation and test-score dates.

Open Dates & Deadlines

Common Application Process

Official Go Vols account steps after submitting Common App.

Open Common App Process

In-State Guaranteed Admission

Official Tennessee resident guaranteed-admission requirements.

Open Guaranteed Admission

UTK Common Data Set

Official institutional data page for admissions, enrollment, expenses and student profile reporting.

Open Common Data Set

FAQs about University of Tennessee acceptance rate 2026

What is the University of Tennessee acceptance rate for 2026?

For 2026 planning, UT Knoxville’s practical acceptance-rate calculation is about 42% using 27,864 admits divided by 66,654 submitted applications. Using completed applications gives a higher figure around 48%.

How many students applied to UT Knoxville for Fall 2026?

UT reported 66,654 applications submitted by the December 15 regular decision submission deadline for Fall 2026.

How many students were admitted to UT Knoxville for Fall 2026?

UT’s Fall 2026 release listed 27,864 admitted students, including 9,042 in-state, 18,558 out-of-state and 264 international admits.

What GPA do you need for University of Tennessee Knoxville?

The Fall 2026 admitted-student mid-50% UT Core Weighted GPA was 4.08–4.50 overall. In-state admits were 4.07–4.50, out-of-state admits were 4.11–4.50 and international admits were 3.81–4.33.

What ACT score is good for University of Tennessee?

The Fall 2026 admitted-student mid-50% composite ACT range was 28–32 overall, with Tennessee admits at 26–32 and out-of-state admits at 29–32.

What SAT score is good for University of Tennessee?

UT listed the admitted-student ACT range as equivalent to about 1300–1440 SAT. For in-state guaranteed admission, SAT 1160+ can help qualify if section minimums and GPA/rank rules are also met.

Is University of Tennessee test optional for 2026?

No. UT Knoxville says first-year applicants are required to submit standardized test scores. Scores can be self-reported in the Go Vols Portal.

What are UT Knoxville Early Action deadlines?

For Fall 2026, UT listed November 1 as the Early Action submission deadline and November 15 as the Early Action completion deadline.

Who qualifies for UT in-state guaranteed admission?

Tennessee high school residents applying by Early Action can qualify with a 24+ ACT or SAT 1160+, minimum math and English section scores, and either a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or top 10% class rank.

How can I improve my UT Knoxville application?

Apply early, complete STARS accurately, self-report test scores, write a specific required essay, check major requirements, add optional materials only when helpful and monitor your Go Vols Portal for missing items.