COOKEVILLE – Tennessee Tech has been listed among the best-valued schools in the state, according to a new study that considered factors like retention rates, starting salary and tuition, among others.
The Cookeville university ranked third behind Vanderbilt University in Nashville and Christian Brothers University in Memphis in recent posting by financial data and technology company, SmartAsset.
The rankings were determined using categories like average scholarships and grants, starting salary upon graduation, tuition, living costs and retention rate.
According to SmartAsset, Tech scored a 68.18 out of 100 on its “College Education Affordability Index.” Among its ranking considerations:
- $7,824 –average scholarships and grants offered to students
- $48,500 – average starting salary upon graduation
- $6,692 – college tuition cost
- $14,670 – student living costs (including room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses)
- 75 percent – student retention rate
Rounding out the list were Carson Newman University, University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Rhodes College, University of Memphis and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
| Rank | School | City | Avg. Scholarships and Grants | Avg. Starting Salary | College Tuition | Student Living Costs | Student Retention Rate | College Education Affordability Index |
| 1 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville | $37,771 | $52,100 | $42,118 | $17,772 | 97% | 76.22 |
| 2 | Christian Brothers University | Memphis | $22,654 | $44,500 | $27,290 | $9,590 | 78% | 74.09 |
| 3 | Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | $7,824 | $48,500 | $6,692 | $14,670 | 75% | 68.18 |
| 4 | Carson Newman University | Jefferson City | $18,314 | $37,900 | $22,652 | $6,912 | 69% | 66.28 |
| 5 | University of Tennessee | Knoxville | $7,269 | $43,900 | $9,092 | $17,144 | 86% | 59.43 |
| 6 | Tennessee State University | Nashville | $7,041 | $48,100 | $6,426 | $13,385 | 60% | 58.11 |
| 7 | Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | $6,754 | $39,200 | $7,210 | $11,914 | 68% | 56.28 |
| 8 | Rhodes College | Memphis | $21,868 | $42,800 | $38,092 | $13,248 | 93% | 56.24 |
| 9 | University of Memphis | Memphis | $6,618 | $42,100 | $7,904 | $14,986 | 76% | 56.05 |
| 10 | University of Tennessee – Chattanooga | Chattanooga | $6,880 | $40,200 | $7,212 | $12,865 | 69% | 55.65 |
