Academic Comparison between UTK and Union

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Union Commonwealth University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UTK is a four-year, public school located in Knoxville, TN and Union is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Barbourville, KY.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UTK is a public and Union is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UTK has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,256) than Union ($30,946).
  • It is harder to admit to UTK than Union.
  • UTK has higher submitted ACT score (28) than Union (18).
  • UTK has more students with 38,728 students while Union has 1,324 students.
  • Union has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while UTK's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UTK has more full-time faculties with 1,834 faculties while Union has 48 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

The University of Tennessee-Knoxvillevs.Union Commonwealth University
Knoxville, TennesseeLocationBarbourville, Kentucky
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (smaller programs)
In-State$13,812
Out-Of-State$33,256
2025 Tuition & Fees$30,946
77%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$11,451Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,379
41.60 %Acceptance Rates63.15 %
27.37 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)38.79 %
1,280SAT Score-
28ACT Score18
74 %Graduation Rate32 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate29 %
92 %Retention Rate64 %
38,728Student Population1,324
1,834Number of Faculties48
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services