Head to head · Tennessee
Middle Tennessee State University costs less than The University of Tennessee-Knoxville at every income band federal data covers — between $740 and $6,692 less per year, depending on what you earn.
| Household income | Middle Tennessee State University | The University of Tennessee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $9,289 | $10,029 | $740 |
| $30–48k | $10,273 | $12,162 | $1,889 |
| $48–75k | $13,007 | $18,206 | $5,199 |
| $75–110k | $16,935 | $23,627 | $6,692 |
| Over $110k | $19,046 | $25,688 | $6,642 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
FAFSA deadlines for 2027–28, state by state →
The brag sheet: what to hand a teacher before asking for a recommendation →
Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed Middle Tennessee State University first, then The University of Tennessee. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again Middle Tennessee State University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
Middle Tennessee State University — every income band · The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — every income band · All Tennessee public colleges