For second year in a row, Tech ranks No. 1 in public universities and No. 2 overall in Tennessee in Best Value Colleges study

COOKEVILLE – Tennessee Tech University continues to provide a quality education at a great value.

For the second year in a row, Tech ranked first in public universities and second overall in Tennessee in the SmartAsset Best Value Colleges study for 2018.

“The return on investment students receive at Tech reflects the ability of our graduates to embark on great, rewarding careers,” Tech President Phil Oldham said. “Over a 20-year span, a Tech graduate can see an 8 percent return on what they invested in their education. That’s a tribute to an entire campus continually dedicated to providing the best student experience possible.”

As a result of its performance in categories including scholarships provided, starting salary, tuition, living costs, and retention rates, Tech ranked second to Vanderbilt University, while ranking ahead of Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee-Martin, Middle Tennessee State University, Lipscomb University and Trevecca Nazarene University.

According to the study, Tech awards an average of $8,231 in scholarships and grants while in-state tuition is $8,011. Student living costs are $16,500 and the average starting salary is $51,000. The student retention rate is 79 percent.

“Our new strategic plan calls for continuous optimization of the return on investment we offer students,” Oldham said. “We are in a great place to answer the question, ‘Is a college education worth the investment?’ Yes, at Tennessee Tech, it is.”

SmartAsset is a financial technology company that uses data to provide free, actionable advice on big financial decisions. Other topics the company addresses include home buying, renting, retirement, life insurance, taxes, student loans and investing.

For more information on the study, go to https://smartasset.com/student-loans/student-loan-calculator?year=2018#tennessee.

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