Academic Programs & Learning

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

17:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

74%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

35%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 17:1 means there are approximately 17 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 74% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
522
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
9%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (34%) Other

Academic Ranks

Professors2
Associate Professors3
Assistant Professors24
Instructors & Lecturers150
Other Instructional Staff343

Understanding Faculty Composition

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga employs 522 instructional staff members. About 34% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (9,982 enrolled)
723
exclusively online (7.2%)
Same state 640 (88.5%)
Other US states 80 (11.1%)
Outside US 3 (0.4%)
Graduate (1,398 enrolled)
578
exclusively online (41.3%)
Same state 479 (82.9%)
Other US states 94 (16.3%)
Outside US 5 (0.9%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

89% of The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's exclusively online undergraduates are located in TN. An additional 11% study from other US states.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

9,990
Total FTE
9,154
Undergraduate FTE
836
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
9,154 (91.6%)
Graduate FTE
836 (8.4%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:87.8% FTE ratio indicates a mix of full-time and part-time students

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

87.8%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelHigh

Most students maintain full-time or near-full-time course loads, balancing academics with limited outside commitments.

Undergraduate FTE
9,154
Graduate FTE
836
Total FTE
9,990
Headcount
11,380

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga directly at 4234254111 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1 supports personalized learning
  • 522 instructional staff with 34% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from TN and beyond (11% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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