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Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) combines a storied history with academic distinction. UTK recently announced acceptance rate and admissions statistics for the Class of 2028. The school is receiving more first-year applications than ever, continuing a trend that really took off last year. As a result the acceptance rate at UTK is also decreasing dramatically, down to 34% from 74.9% just a few years ago.
On February 29th, the University of Tennessee Knoxville announced that it had offered admission to 19,472 students for the Class of 2028, a figure that includes admissions for both Early Action and Regular Decision applicants.
The overall admission rate dropped for the second year in a row, sinking from 74% three years ago to only 34%, as the number of applicants continued to increase again, following an even more dramatic rise in applicants in 2023.
It's important to note that UTK prioritizes access for Tennessee residents, resulting in a 65% acceptance rate for in-state applicants, compared to only 27.3% for out-of-state applicants, which includes international students.
Class of 2025 | Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total First-Year Applications | 29,901 | 36,290 | 50,488 | 57,270 |
Admitted Applicants | 22,413 | 24,826 | 23,211 | 19,472 |
Overall Admission Rate | 74.9% | 68% | 46% | 34% |
Typically about 60% of in-coming students are Tennessee residents, about 30% are from diverse states across the US, and about 10% are international students. The class includes 59% female students and 41% male students.
About 84% are first-generation college students, with 6% Hispanic, and about 4% African American. Approximately 32% choose to live on campus, with 68% living off campus or commuting.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), founded in 1794, blends a rich history with academic excellence. Located on a 910-acre campus in the lively city of Knoxville, UTK offers a dynamic learning environment in a picturesque setting. It stands out for its diverse range of programs across various colleges, with nationally ranked offerings in accountancy, business, and law.
With an undergraduate enrollment of around 28,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, UTK fosters a personalized and interactive educational experience. The university is noted for its financial accessibility, with graduates often incurring less debt compared to other national universities. Popular majors include Business, Nursing, Engineering, and Biological Sciences, among others.
UTK's admirable freshman retention rate of 88% indicates strong student satisfaction. Outside academics, the university offers ample recreational opportunities, making it a holistic choice for students seeking comprehensive academic offerings and a spirited campus life.
UTK offers an astounding 360 undergraduate programs. The following majors were the most popular for students admitted for the Class of 2028 at UTK:
UTK leaders are excited about the school's growing enrollment and are busy expanding facilities, making plans for three new residence halls, and exploring new models for more industry-oriented interdisciplinary academic programming.
What Makes Crimson Different
As we've seen, interest in the University of Tennessee has shot up in just the past two or three years. As more students apply, the university seeks to grow, but still, the overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 has dropped to 34%, from a high of 74% just three years ago!
Most college admissions experts agree that the number of students applying to top universities will continue to grow, especially if schools continue making standardized testing optional. For the University of Tennessee the trends, for now, are no different.
If you're aiming for admission to UTK you should know that Crimson Education has helped thousands of students gain admission to their dream schools.
Despite decreasing acceptance rates at UTK and most leading US universities, Crimson’s acceptance numbers are increasing!
Last year, more than 200 of our students were accepted to top universities in the early round alone, getting into schools that were typically far more competitive even than UTK.
Whether the University of Tennessee or another similar school, wherever you're aiming, Crimson can help you get there!
Our strategists include former Ivy League graduates who can help you put together a solid application, including help connecting you to qualified mentors SAT/ACT preparation, keeping in mind that UTK is among leading schools that require SAT or ACT scores for admissions.