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Tennessee Colleges Admission Statistics

Tennessee Best Schools Compare All Tennessee Schools Tightest to Admit Highest SAT Scores TN Collegs by SAT score
Acceptance Rate 61.1%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 25.64%
Applicants 209,138
Admitted 127,786
Enrolled 32,763

Applying To Tennessee Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 61.1% at Tennessee colleges and universities, a total of 209,138 students applied and 127,786 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $61 and the graduate application fees is $47. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to Tennessee colleges.
General Admission Information of Tennessee Colleges
Open Admission Policy99 out of 158 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$61
Graduate Application Fees$47
Acceptance Rate61.1%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)25.64%
Test Scores1,154 SAT / 23 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2023-2024, total 209,138 students (81,675 men and 127,150 women) applied to and 127,786 (47,395 men and 80,292 women) students were accepted to admit Tennessee Colleges. Among them, 13,841 men and 18,900 women were enrolled into Tennessee schools.
The average acceptance rate is 61.10% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 25.64%. The table below shows the Tennessee colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for Tennessee Colleges (2023-2024)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants209,13881,675127,150
Admitted127,78647,39580,292
Enrolled32,76313,84118,900
Acceptance Rate 61.10% 58.03% 63.15%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 25.64% 29.20% 23.54%
[Chart]Tennessee Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In Tennessee, 9 colleges require SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 25 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
4,102 students (14.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 19,471 students (64.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,256 and 25th percentile score is 1,052. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 26 and 25th percentile score is 20.
The following table shows the detailed SAT and ACT scores distribution of first-time enrolled students at Tennessee colleges and universities.
SAT and ACT Score Distribution at Tennessee Colleges
25th Percentile75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing530629
SAT Math522627
ACT Composite2026
ACT Math1825
ACT English1927
[Chart] SAT/ACT Distribution - Tennessee Colleges
[Chart] Average SAT Scores - Tennessee Colleges
[Chart] Average ACT Scores - Tennessee Colleges

Calendar System and Accepted Credits

In Tennessee State, 61 schools use semester calendar systems and 6 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester61 out of 158 schools
Quarter6 out of 158 schools
Trimester3 out of 158 schools
Four-one-four plan2 out of 158 schools
Other academic year8 out of 158 schools
Differs by program10 out of 158 schools
Continuous59 out of 158 schools
Un-Known/Other9 out of 158 schools
Next table describes credits that Tennessee colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits87 out of 158 schools
Credits for Life Experiences72 out of 158 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits77 out of 158 schools
Credit for Military Training88 out of 158 schools

Application Requirements

38 Tennessee schools require High School GPA and 37 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 9 Tennessee colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to Tennessee colleges.
Admission Checklist for Tennessee Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA380
High School Rank10
High School Record (or Transcript)370
Completion of College Preparatory Program110
Recommendations90
Formal Demonstration of Competencies20
Admission Test Scores90
TOEFL290
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)30
Know about Tennessee Colleges