The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Rhodes College: which has better ROI?
Rhodes College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,340 in 6.3 years versus 6.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, on median earnings of $66,651 vs $60,249 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Rhodes College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $28,585 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $114,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $66,651 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $21,761 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | $251,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Rhodes College?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, at $18,976 a year after aid versus $28,585 — a gap of $9,609 a year, or $38,436 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 Rhodes College graduates earn more?
Rhodes College graduates report a median $66,651 ten years after entry, $6,402 more than the $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 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 Rhodes College?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $21,761 at Rhodes College, a difference of $1,261. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Rhodes College, against 74% at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. 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.