The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs King University: which has better ROI?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,904 in 6.4 years versus 7.8 years at King University, on median earnings of $60,249 vs $59,831 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | King University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $22,347 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $89,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $59,831 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $22,750 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | $140,032 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or King University?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, at $18,976 a year after aid versus $22,347 — a gap of $3,371 a year, or $13,484 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or King University graduates earn more?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates report a median $60,249 ten years after entry, $418 more than the $59,831 at King University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or King University?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,750 at King University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, against 48% at King University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.