Students at Tennessee Technological University benefit from strong affordability and reliable career outcomes, particularly in engineering and technical fields where graduates consistently achieve solid long-term earnings.
The university's focus on practical, career-oriented programs helps ensure that students can manage their debt comfortably while building stable, well-paying careers.
Tennessee Technological University ranks among the middle tier of public four-year institutions nationwide, distinguished by its focused mission as a comprehensive technological university. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee Tech serves as a regional hub for engineering, technology, and professional programs, with nearly 38% of students being first-generation college attendees and about 31% receiving Pell Grants.
What sets Tennessee Tech apart is its ability to deliver solid long-term financial outcomes through career-focused programs. Graduates earn a median of $48,501 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong performance in engineering fields where graduates routinely exceed $65,000 in early-career earnings. The university achieves earnings that are slightly above expectations compared with similar institutions, reflecting effective program design and strong industry connections.
As a medium-sized public university, Tennessee Tech offers the personal attention of a smaller institution while maintaining the program breadth and resources students need for technical careers. The university's emphasis on applied learning and professional preparation helps explain why graduates see steady earnings growth and maintain strong loan repayment rates, making it a reliable choice for families seeking practical, career-oriented higher education in Tennessee.
Tennessee Technological University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive technological institution, with clear strengths in engineering and applied fields. Mechanical Engineering leads in both scale and financial returns, graduating 151 students annually with median earnings of $66,355, making it the university's economic engine. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, while smaller at 60 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $70,296, demonstrating the premium that specialized technical skills command in the job market.
The university's largest program, Adult and Continuing Education with 201 graduates, serves a different mission with more moderate earnings around $34,917, reflecting its focus on educational professionals and career changers. This program diversity shows Tennessee Tech's commitment to serving both traditional engineering students and working adults seeking career advancement. Biology represents the university's foundational science offerings with 90 graduates earning $24,164, typical for students often continuing to graduate or professional school.
Tennessee Tech's program mix emphasizes practical, career-oriented fields that connect directly to regional industry needs. The concentration in engineering and technology creates strong employer relationships and reliable job placement, while education programs serve the state's workforce development needs. Students should recognize that program choice significantly impacts earnings potential, with engineering fields offering the clearest pathways to higher-income careers.
Tennessee Technological University delivers solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates, with a median earnings figure of $48,501 ten years after enrollment. Graduates earn slightly more than expected compared with students at similar institutions, reflecting the university's strength in career-focused programs and strong industry partnerships. The university's emphasis on engineering and technology fields helps drive these positive outcomes, with many students seeing steady earnings growth as they advance in their careers.
Mechanical Engineering stands out as Tennessee Tech's highest aggregate return program, combining strong enrollment of 151 graduates with solid median earnings of $66,355. Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $70,296 for its 60 graduates, while the university's largest program, Adult and Continuing Education, serves 201 students with more moderate earnings around $34,917. Engineering programs consistently outperform the institutional average, with both mechanical and electrical engineering graduates earning well above $65,000 in their early careers.
The university's technical focus creates clear pathways to stable, well-paying careers in manufacturing, technology, and engineering services. Students in Biology and other foundational sciences see more modest early earnings around $24,164, but the concentration in applied fields means most Tennessee Tech graduates enter job markets with strong demand and predictable career progression.
Tennessee Technological University offers strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Tennessee families. Low-income students pay about $9,641 annually after aid, well below typical public university costs, while middle-income families see net prices around $14,405 per year. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $18,329 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education costs manageable for working families throughout the region.
Debt levels remain moderate and sustainable for most Tennessee Tech graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is about $15,650, a manageable amount given the university's solid earnings outcomes, and Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,405 for families who choose to contribute directly to education costs. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates can comfortably manage their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes Tennessee Tech particularly sustainable financially is the combination of moderate borrowing and reliable post-graduation earnings. With median earnings approaching $48,500 ten years out, most graduates can handle standard loan repayment without significant strain, and the university's strong industry connections help ensure that students move into stable employment relatively quickly after graduation.
Tennessee Technological University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
