KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennesseans are increasingly positive about the University of Tennessee and the value of a four-year degree, according to new statewide public opinion research conducted on behalf of the University of Tennessee System.
The 2026 pulse survey found that 82% of respondents have a positive opinion of UT as a statewide system of higher education, up from 76% in 2025. At the same time, neutral responses declined from 19% to 15%, while negative perceptions fell from 6% to 4%. The results mark the first increase in overall positive sentiment since UT began tracking the measure in 2018.
“At a time when the national conversation increasingly questions the value of higher education, Tennesseans are telling us a different story,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “They have growing confidence that a college degree is worth the investment and that our University of Tennessee institutions provide a high-quality, affordable education. That’s incredibly encouraging, but we’re not finished. We have to keep working every day to earn that confidence.”