Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Tennessee Tech graduates experience steady earnings growth from early career to mid-career periods, with median earnings rising from $43,759 six years after enrollment to $46,379 at eight years and $48,501 at ten years. This 10.8% growth from six to ten years indicates consistent career advancement as graduates gain experience and professional development in their chosen fields.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $15,650 in debt with typical earnings.
Tennessee Tech students graduate with median debt of $15,650, significantly below the peer median of $21,105, creating a $5,455 advantage over similar institutions. Debt levels span from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $20,280 at the 75th percentile, indicating controlled borrowing across student populations.
Tennessee Technological University generates solid return on educational investment through balanced earnings outcomes and controlled debt levels. The institution ranks at the 46.5th percentile for return performance, reflecting typical outcomes among similar public institutions.
Approximately 24.6% of Tennessee Tech graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry a...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Engineering programs drive Tennessee Tech's strongest return outcomes, with Electrical Engineering graduates earning $88,359, Chemical Engineering at $81,456, and Mechanical Engineering at $79,608. These programs consistently deliver earnings well above institutional medians and provide clear career advantages for students completing technical curricula.
In contrast, liberal arts programs like Psychology ($34,296) and Exercise Science ($39,681) reflect more modest earning potential but serve students with different career priorities and goals. The diversity of program outcomes allows students to balance earning potential with personal interests and career aspirations while understanding realistic expectations by field of study.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution from $33,538 to $71,299 demonstrates how program choice and career path influence return on investment at Tennessee Tech. Low-income graduates earn $43,500, ranking in the top 50% nationally for outcomes among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
