Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Head-to-head · 24 cross-admits

When applicants got into both, 67% chose UTKnoxville. Side-by-side on admissions, costs, and outcomes — sourced from 24 self-reported decisions and ABA 509 filings.

Choice, not ranking

These are decisions, not opinions. Scholarship offers, location, intended practice, and personal fit are all priced into the split.

24
cross-admits
3
cycles
-20pt
YoY shift

Cross-admit decision

Of 24 applicants admitted to both schools
Last 5 cycles
University of Tennessee logo Chose UTKnoxville
67%
Chose Belmont University Belmont University logo
33%

Median scholarship (chose UTKnoxville)

$36,000 / yr

Median scholarship (chose Belmont University)

$117,833 / yr
View all-time (28 cross-admits)
68% chose UTKnoxville 32% chose Belmont University

Trend · UTKnoxville's share

2021–2025

Lowest cycle

40%

Highest cycle

75%
3 cycles
100 50 0 21 24 25 2021: 60% 2024: 75% 2025: 40%
UTKnoxville #53 · Belmont University #100 LSD n≈6/yr

Admissions

Rankings, LSAT/GPA, acceptance & yield
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Belmont University logo
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
USN Rank
#57
#85
LSD Rank
Top 75 (0.006)
75+ (0.002)
LSAT 25th
160
158
LSAT Median
164
161
LSAT 75th
166
163
GPA Median
3.89
3.84
Acceptance Rate
24.8%
37.6%
Class Size
140
136
Yield Rate
25.8%
27.0%

Financial

Sticker price, scholarships, and debt burden
2025 ABA 509
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Belmont University logo
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
Tuition (In-State)
$16,696
$38,236
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$35,140
$56,822
Median Grant
$10,550
$23,375
% Receiving Grants
89.0%
94.0%
Avg. Debt at Graduation
-
-

Employment & outcomes

Post-graduation placement and bar passage
2024 ABA Employment
Metric
University of Tennessee logo
UTKnoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Belmont University logo
Belmont University
Nashville, Tennessee
BigLaw (501+)
10.2%
42.5%
Judicial Clerkships
5.5%
15.8%
Median Salary (Private)
$150,000
$90,000
Employment Rate
92.1%
96.4%
Bar Pass Rate
91.9%
95.6%

Overview

About UTKnoxville vs Belmont University

Across 24 applicants admitted to both schools and self-reporting on LSD, 67% enrolled at University of Tennessee and 33% at Belmont University. The split has shifted -20 points across the tracked cycles.

These numbers reflect every factor that goes into a real decision: scholarship offers, geographic preference, intended practice area, and fit. Choosing one school doesn't mean it's "better" — it means the pool of cross-admits, weighing their options, ended up there more often. Pair this with the scholarship distribution and employment outcomes above for full context.

Looking at a different matchup? Browse all comparisons or run a custom pair from the index.

Deciding between UTKnoxville and Belmont University? Work with a consultant who knows both — backed by this exact data.
Join waitlist →

Compare another pair

vs
Detailed comparison narrative

This page compares University of Tennessee and Belmont University across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes — plus cross-admit decision data from 24 applicants admitted to both.

Based on 24 applicants admitted to both schools, 67% chose to attend University of Tennessee. This cross-admit data reflects real enrollment decisions from verified law school applicants on LSD.Law.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of Tennessee is ranked #57 compared to #85 — a gap of 28 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

University of Tennessee is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 24.8% compared to Belmont University's 37.6%.

Both schools are located in Tennessee — University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Belmont University in Nashville — meaning graduates often compete in the same regional legal market.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: Belmont University places 42.5% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 10.2% for the other school. This 32 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of Tennessee has lower tuition at $16,696 per year compared to $38,236. Combined with employment rates of 92.1% (UTKnoxville) and 96.4% (Belmont University), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, Belmont University offered a median scholarship of $117,833 compared to $36,000, a difference of $81,833 that may factor into enrollment decisions.