Tennessee Tech combines accessible admission with strong mobility outcomes, ranking in the 88.6th percentile for economic advancement. The university maintains debt levels $5,455 below peer institutions while delivering earnings beyond expectations, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across diverse backgrounds.
Around the national average, balancing solid earnings outcomes with institutional accessibility
Excellent cost management through controlled net prices and debt levels
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement for diverse student populations
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpportunity Builder with strong affordability
Tennessee Technological University ranks #266 nationally in Azimuth's institutional analysis, with composite performance at the 83.7th percentile. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public university maintains accessible admission standards with an 83.2% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations including 31.0% Pell-eligible students and 37.6% first-generation students.
Tennessee Tech demonstrates strong performance across key institutional pillars, ranking in the 88.6th percentile for mobility outcomes and 87.3rd percentile for affordability. Graduates earn a median of $48,501 ten years after enrollment, with earnings $1,864 beyond expectations relative to similar students.
The institution operates as an Opportunity Builder, combining accessible admissions with solid post-graduation outcomes while maintaining manageable costs and debt levels well below peer institutions.
Tennessee Technological University delivers solid return on investment through controlled costs and manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $48,501 ten years after enrollment, supported by earnings $1,864 beyond expectations relative to student backgrounds and demographics.
This places the institution at the 63.2nd percentile for earnings uplift, demonstrating above-average value creation. Earnings span from $33,538 at the 25th percentile to $71,299 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across programs.
Students seeking strong technical training at an affordable, accessible public university. Well-suited for first-generation students (37.6%) and those interested in engineering fields where Tennessee Tech excels statewide, delivering solid career preparation without the debt burden of more expensive institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Tennessee Technological University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/tennessee-technological-university/analysis.
Tennessee Technological University admits 83.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 students who apply receive admission offers. This Open Access admission rate creates realistic opportunities for students with solid academic preparation but falls short of highly competitive metrics.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows Tennessee Tech aligns closely with similar public institutions in accessibility. This level of selectivity means students with above-average academic credentials have strong chances of admission, while the university maintains academic standards through its curriculum rather than highly restrictive admission gates.
Prospective students should view Tennessee Tech as an accessible option that rewards academic effort and demonstrates commitment to serving diverse student populations. The 77.5% retention rate and 54.2% completion rate indicate that while admission is accessible, academic success requires sustained effort and engagement with available support systems.
Students building college lists should consider Tennessee Tech as a solid foundation school that combines accessibility with legitimate career preparation, particularly in technical fields where the university demonstrates state and national ranking strength.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Tennessee Technological University's published cost of attendance reaches $25,338 annually, including $20,116 in out-of-state tuition, $10,502 for room and board, and $1,280 for books and supplies. In-state students pay $10,084 in tuition, creating significant savings for Tennessee residents.
However, the average student pays just $14,207 after financial aid, representing $11,131 in average aid savings from the sticker price. This net price sits slightly above the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive but not exceptional affordability within Tennessee Tech's comparison group.
The university demonstrates commitment to need-based aid through progressive pricing across income levels, with net costs ranging from $9,641 for families earning under $30,000 to $18,329 for those earning over $110,000. Tennessee residents benefit from substantial tuition advantages, while the financial aid system provides meaningful support for students across economic backgrounds through federal grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships that reduce actual costs significantly below published prices.
Tennessee Tech graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time, with median earnings growing from $43,759 six years after enrollment to $46,379 at eight years and $48,501 at ten years, representing 10.8% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect data from 3,349 graduates in the ten-year cohort, providing reliable confidence in reported figures.
Low-income graduates earn $43,500, ranking in the top 50% nationally for outcomes among students from lower-income backgrounds. The institution generates $1,864 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 63.2nd percentile nationally on this measure of value creation.
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the gap between 25th percentile ($33,538) and 75th percentile ($71,299) representing a 2.1:1 ratio reflecting program diversity and career path differences. Approximately 24.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grambling State University Similar quality tier (#265 ranked) | LA | 24% | $41,109 | #265 | Compare |
Grand Valley State University Similar quality tier (#266 ranked) | MI | 95% | $56,118 | #266 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Similar quality tier (#263 ranked) | MA | 85% | $64,874 | #263 | Compare |
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Similar quality tier (#270 ranked) | IL | 97% | $56,346 | #270 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Similar quality tier (#271 ranked) | PR | 92% | $34,409 | #271 | Compare |
Computer Engineering, General.
19 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
60 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
61 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
151 graduates
Computer Science.
104 graduates
Tennessee Tech offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Mechanical Engineering stands out with 151 graduates earning a median of $79,608, ranking #1 in Tennessee and #123 nationally.
Computer Science produces 104 graduates with median earnings of $78,615, ranking #3 in Tennessee. Applied Engineering Technologies ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Tennessee, graduating 62 students with median earnings of $71,825 and the highest value score at 63.6.
Business Administration and Management represents the third-largest program with 136 graduates, while Adult and Continuing Education serves as the largest program with 201 graduates annually. Family and Consumer Sciences ranks #1 in Tennessee and #13 nationally, demonstrating the university's strength across diverse academic fields beyond its technical focus.
