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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 53.42%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 24.48%
Applicants 259,054
Admitted 138,399
Enrolled 33,875

Applying To Tennessee Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 53.42% at Tennessee colleges and universities, a total of 259,054 students applied and 138,399 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $63 and the graduate application fees is $49. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to Tennessee colleges.
General Admission Information of Tennessee Colleges
Open Admission Policy94 out of 152 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$63
Graduate Application Fees$49
Acceptance Rate53.42%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)24.48%
Test Scores1,158 SAT / 23 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2024-2025, total 259,054 students (104,019 men and 154,419 women) applied to and 138,399 (53,388 men and 84,724 women) students were accepted to admit Tennessee Colleges. Among them, 14,767 men and 19,058 women were enrolled into Tennessee schools.
The average acceptance rate is 53.42% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 24.48%. The table below shows the Tennessee colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for Tennessee Colleges (2024-2025)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants259,054104,019154,419
Admitted138,39953,38884,724
Enrolled33,87514,76719,058
Acceptance Rate 53.42% 51.33% 54.87%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 24.48% 27.66% 22.49%
[Chart]Tennessee Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In Tennessee, 10 colleges require SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 22 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
4,463 students (13.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 23,776 students (69.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,266 and 25th percentile score is 1,049. 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 Writing532640
SAT Math517626
ACT Composite2026
ACT Math1824
ACT English1926
[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, 59 schools use semester calendar systems and 3 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester59 out of 152 schools
Quarter3 out of 152 schools
Trimester2 out of 152 schools
Four-one-four plan2 out of 152 schools
Other academic year6 out of 152 schools
Differs by program10 out of 152 schools
Continuous57 out of 152 schools
Un-Known/Other13 out of 152 schools
Next table describes credits that Tennessee colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits85 out of 152 schools
Credits for Life Experiences69 out of 152 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits71 out of 152 schools
Credit for Military Training81 out of 152 schools

Application Requirements

38 Tennessee schools require High School GPA and 36 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 10 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)360
Completion of College Preparatory Program100
Recommendations80
Formal Demonstration of Competencies20
Admission Test Scores100
TOEFL310
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)40
Know about Tennessee Colleges