What SAT score do you need for Tennessee? (Middle 50%: 1280–1380)
First-year students at Tennessee who sent an SAT scored 1280–1380, with a median of 1330 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Tennessee admits 42% of applicants.
Where your score lands at Tennessee
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1280–1380, median 1330
Middle 50% of admitted students Median
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Tennessee is for you and whether to send your score.
Tennessee by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1280–1380
- Median SAT
- 1330
- About on the ACT
- 27–30
- Sent an SAT
- 25%
Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Tennessee admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 250%, from 17,081 in 2015 to 59,764 in 2024, and Tennessee's admit rate went from 76% to 42%.
- 76%
- 42%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59,764 | 24,863 | 42% |
| 2023 | 50,488 | 23,221 | 46% |
| 2022 | 36,290 | 24,826 | 68% |
| 2021 | 29,909 | 22,413 | 75% |
| 2020 | 25,423 | 19,867 | 78% |
| 2019 | 21,764 | 17,160 | 79% |
| 2018 | 20,457 | 15,912 | 78% |
| 2017 | 18,872 | 14,526 | 77% |
| 2016 | 17,583 | 13,578 | 77% |
| 2015 | 17,081 | 13,032 | 76% |
In fall 2024, 6,804 of the 24,863 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Tennessee
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1230Far reachHold
- 1230–1270ReachHold
- 1280–1320TargetHold
- 1330 and upTargetSend
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.
Tennessee SAT sections, ACT and class rank
Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.
| Test | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 630 | 660 | 700 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | 640 | 670 | 700 |
| SAT total | 1280 | 1330 | 1380 |
| ACT composite | 26 | 29 | 31 |
Of enrolled first-year students, 25% sent an SAT and 80% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.
- Top 10% of their class
- 47%
- of new students who reported a rank
Tennessee waitlist
Waitlist
11,980 applicants were offered a spot, 3,516 took it, and 134 were admitted from it.
3.8%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in
Common Data Set 2025–26.
Tennessee cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $18,976
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 74%
- Median earnings
- $60,249
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 32,221
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Tennessee
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- FurmanGreenville, SC · 43% admitted1280–1417.5, median 1340
- Bennington CollegeBennington, VT · 45% admitted1308–1375, median 1335
- ClemsonClemson, SC · 38% admitted1250–1400, median 1320
- BentleyWaltham, MA · 45% admitted1290–1403, median 1340
- LMULos Angeles, CA · 45% admitted1280–1400, median 1350
- GeorgiaAthens, GA · 38% admitted1220–1400, median 1300
More colleges in Tennessee
Sources
- Tennessee Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Tennessee website
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
Questions
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