Head-to-head comparison
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs University of Memphis: which has better ROI?
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
University of Memphis
- Net price / year
- $12,397
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,458
- Payback
- 506 yrs
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,904 in 6.4 years versus 506 years at University of Memphis, on median earnings of $60,249 vs $48,458 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | University of Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $12,397 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $49,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $48,458 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $23,300 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | 506 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | -$47,628 |
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 University of Memphis?
University of Memphis, at $12,397 a year after aid versus $18,976 — a gap of $6,579 a year, or $26,316 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 University of Memphis graduates earn more?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville graduates report a median $60,249 ten years after entry, $11,791 more than the $48,458 at University of Memphis. 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 University of Memphis?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $23,300 at University of Memphis, a difference of $2,800. 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?
74% of students finish at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, against 51% at University of Memphis. 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.