The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Vanderbilt University: which has better ROI?
Vanderbilt University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,384 in 1.5 years versus 6.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, on median earnings of $91,565 vs $60,249 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Vanderbilt University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $15,846 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $63,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $91,565 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $14,000 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | $800,716 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University, at $15,846 a year after aid versus $18,976 — a gap of $3,130 a year, or $12,520 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 Vanderbilt University graduates earn more?
Vanderbilt University graduates report a median $91,565 ten years after entry, $31,316 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 Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Vanderbilt University, 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.