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The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

#875 in US ranking Chattanooga, TN
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$26,951
Tuition & fees
$10,762
Avg. aid
$9,999
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
81%
SAT range
1013–1210
ACT range
20–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
50%
Median salary
$44,747
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

UTC is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole and is relevant to matters such as eligibility to participate in federal student-aid programs.

Some professional programs also hold separate accreditation. UTC identifies specialized accreditation for fields including business and engineering; applicants should confirm the status of the particular degree they intend to enter, because approval of one program does not automatically cover every program in its college. This distinction is especially important where a degree is intended to lead to professional licensure.

Accreditation can help with credit recognition, but it does not require another institution to accept every UTC course. Likewise, graduation from an accredited program does not by itself guarantee a license: state boards may impose examinations, supervised practice, or other conditions.

What are the admission requirements at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

First-year applicants to UTC generally apply through the university's undergraduate admissions process and submit a secondary-school record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent. The reported admissions requirements include a high school GPA, transcript, and admission-test scores; applicants should check the requirements for their intended entry term because testing policies can change.

In the reported entering class, the median ACT composite score among enrolled students was 23, and the median SAT composite score was 1130. ACT scores were much more commonly submitted than SAT scores. These are descriptions of enrolled students, not minimum scores or guarantees of admission. UTC admitted about 81% of its first-time applicants in the reported admissions data, which likewise does not establish an individual applicant's chances.

Class rank and recommendations were neither required nor recommended in the reported requirements. International applicants may need to document English proficiency, including through an accepted test such as TOEFL, and provide additional records. Applicants to particular majors or graduate programs should check for separate criteria. Because deadlines and document rules differ by entry term and applicant category, the current UTC admissions checklist is more useful than relying on a past deadline.

What are the application fees and waivers at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

The reported undergraduate application fee for UTC is $30. It is an application charge, not a tuition payment, enrollment deposit, or housing fee.

Applicants who cannot afford the charge should check UTC's current admissions instructions for a fee waiver before submitting or paying. Waiver procedures may depend on the application method and the applicant's circumstances, and payment is not necessarily refundable after submission. Graduate and other specialized applications can have different processes, so those applicants should confirm the fee shown in their own application portal.

What types of ROTC programs are available at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

UTC has an Army ROTC unit on campus. Army ROTC combines college coursework and leadership training with a potential route to an Army commission for students who complete the program's requirements.

Taking an introductory ROTC course should not be assumed to create the same obligation as accepting a scholarship or contracting as a cadet. Scholarship eligibility, fitness and medical standards, commissioning requirements, and any later service commitment depend on the student's circumstances and Army ROTC rules. Students interested in another military branch should verify an actual cross-enrollment arrangement before assuming they can participate through UTC.

What are the requirements for transfer students at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

UTC accepts applications from transfer students and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, spring, and summer terms, but admission to UTC and acceptance of a particular course toward a degree are separate decisions.

Applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from colleges they attended and meet the current transfer-admission standards. High school documents may also matter for applicants with limited college coursework. UTC reports accepting several forms of examination or evaluated learning credit, including CLEP, DSST/DANTES, and credit considered under American Council on Education recommendations; each award remains subject to applicable university rules.

Before choosing a major or leaving another institution, a transfer applicant should compare course equivalencies with UTC's degree requirements. An official evaluation after admission is more definitive than a preliminary match: a course may transfer as elective credit without satisfying a specific prerequisite. Students should also check any minimum UTC coursework required for the degree and whether their chosen program has a separate admission process.

What types of study abroad programs are available at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

UTC offers study-abroad pathways that can include faculty-led travel, longer-term study, and programs arranged through partner or third-party providers. The destination, duration, academic credit, and cost depend on the individual opportunity.

Students should discuss a proposed program with both study-abroad advisers and their academic department before committing funds. A program's availability does not mean that every course will fulfill a requirement in a student's major. Financial aid or scholarships may apply to eligible approved study, but coverage and payment timing can differ from an ordinary semester in Chattanooga. Passport, visa, insurance, and travel costs also deserve a place in the budget.

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Admissions Factors

SAT range
1013–1210
4001600
ACT range
20–26
136
Acceptance rate
81%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
81%
Tennessee
71%
US
78%

29% of admitted students enrolled (2,489 of 8,510)

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Admissions

Applicants
Total: 10,494
Admission
Total: 8,510
Enrolled
Total: 2,489
Women
Men

How to Apply to The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Regular application deadline

May 1

Application fee

$30

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 2,224
Out-of-state: 253

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 2,489
Transfer: 699

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1130

Median composite ACT score

23

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

93.3%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

6.9%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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