The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs South College: 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 not at all at South College, on median earnings of $60,249 vs $36,642 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | South College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $17,858 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $35,716 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $36,642 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $18,668 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | -$270,076 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or South College?
South College, at $17,858 a year after aid versus $18,976 — a gap of $1,118 a year, or $40,188 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 South College graduates earn more?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates report a median $60,249 ten years after entry, $23,607 more than the $36,642 at South College. 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 South College?
South College: its completers carry a median $18,668 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a difference of $1,832. 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 42% at South College. 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.