University of Tennessee Dropped in New National Rankings
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville fell to number 109 in the latest U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in College Applications
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The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has been ranked number 109 nationally in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings released September 22, 2026. This marks a seven-spot decline for the Knoxville institution in the annual list.
Why it matters
College rankings serve as a primary metric for prospective students and families assessing academic value and institutional reputation. The rankings use a methodology comprised of 17 factors, now including an assessment of earnings by major.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville holds a 93.1 percent retention rate and a 76.6 percent six-year graduation rate. Current total enrollment at the university is 41,287 students.
The players
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
This public research university serves as the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system.
U.S. News & World Report
This media company publishes annual rankings of colleges and universities based on various academic and institutional metrics.
Donde Plowman
She serves as the chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
The details
The university secured the 50th spot among public universities and 77th on the best value schools list. Officials are now working toward a goal of reaching an 80 percent six-year graduation rate by 2030.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: U.S. News & World Report released the 2027 college rankings.
Fall 2026: The University of Tennessee recorded a total enrollment of 41,287 students.
2030: The target date for the university to achieve an 80 percent six-year graduation rate.
Roadmap
The transition to the U.S. News & World Report college ranking methodology reflects a broader trend of prioritizing student post-graduate financial outcomes over traditional metrics like debt. This shift forces large public institutions to re-evaluate their curriculum focus to remain competitive in national standings.
Prospective students and their families should evaluate how these rankings align with their specific academic or financial priorities before finalizing enrollment decisions. Current students may see the university administration pivot toward new graduation metrics to bolster the school's future national standing.
The takeaway
Students should remember that national rankings are one of many factors to consider when choosing a school. Focusing on graduation rates and post-graduate earnings can provide a more accurate picture of a university's long-term value than a single numerical rank.
What happens next
Chancellor Donde Plowman has set a specific 2030 goal to improve the university's six-year graduation rate to 80 percent and the graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients to 72 percent.
Further reading
Learn more about how institutional data influences College Applications for families in Tennessee.
More information
To review the full list of rankings and methodology details, visit the View full U.S. News college list.
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