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Head-to-head comparison

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Rhodes College: which has better ROI?

Public, Knoxville TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Memphis TN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Knoxville, TN

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Net price / year
$18,976
Earnings, 10 years
$60,249
Payback
6.4 yrs

Option B Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Net price / year
$28,585
Earnings, 10 years
$66,651
Payback
6.3 yrs
The verdict

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.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleRhodes 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
Payback6.4 yrs6.3 yrs
20-year net return$161,876$251,480

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Rhodes College: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Rhodes College a better value?
Rhodes College. It clears its $114,340 net cost in about 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.
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Rhodes College?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: $18,976/yr net price after aid versus $28,585/yr at Rhodes College — a difference of $9,609 a year, or about $38,436 over four years.
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Rhodes College graduates earn more?
Rhodes College graduates earn a median $66,651 ten years after entry, versus $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville — a $6,402 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.