University of Kentucky vs University of Tennessee

UK Libraries’ mission is to ignite the human drive to discover, create, and connect by facilitating access to information, empowering learners, and collaborating with the communities to advance knowledge, enhance scholarship, and preserve the history and culture of the Commonwealth.

The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus – through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources.

Lexington blends influences from the South and Midwest to create a cultural identity all its own. A college town, Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky, which is the city's largest school and employer. The university plays an important role in the city by providing a constant influx of young, educated people into the culture and economy. Lexington is serious about college basketball. Residents support the University of Kentucky Wildcats with a fervor that surpasses the fan base of some professional teams. Kentucky fans camp out for tickets to "Big Blue Madness," the official kickoff to the season, which features an exhibition-style team scrimmage. When UK is playing, streets and restaurants are deserted, and when they win a national championship, the downtown streets look like New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Lexington's population is growing, which has contributed to a slow increase in the cost of living. Despite this, Lexington is still very affordable compared with other metro areas around the country. Due to the city's large college population, rental housing is abundant and inexpensive. Whether renting or purchasing a home, your dollar will go further in Lexington than in many other U.S. cities. However, like with many other metro areas in the country, housing prices in Lexington have seen an increase in recent years.

Sitting on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee. But this city is more than just a college town. It's a multicultural community that embraces an array of pastimes. Downtown Knoxville is full of interesting shops like the independent Union Ave Books and the old-time Mast General Store, as well as the popular Market Square. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, both within a 90-minute drive of the city, are beautiful places to go for a hike, as is Ijams Nature Center, which is closer to downtown. Residents enjoy a cost of living that's lower than the national average, which is reflected in reasonable housing, utility and transportation costs. The average cost of a home and the average monthly rent are well below those of many other large metro areas.