Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, Tennessee · Public · 76.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Tennessee Technological University scores 55 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The paradox in TTU's data is a cost structure that looks very favorable - in-state tuition of $11,376 and net price of $14,246 - paired with a 14.6-year payback period. The engineering and CS programs tell a completely different story: Electrical Engineering earns $73,453 year-one and $94,179 year-four (B+ grade); Mechanical Engineering $66,228 year-one and $84,267 year-four (B+ grade); Chemical Engineering $60,300 year-one and $91,580 year-four (A grade). These programs are the institution's competitive advantage. Outside engineering, outcomes are moderate to weak: Teacher Education earns $39,034 year-one (B grade), Biology $25,087 year-one, Fine Arts $19,231 year-one. Median debt is $15,650, and the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.442.
Tennessee Technological University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,376/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,576/yr |
| Average net price | $14,246/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $56,984 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,501 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,650 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $166 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 8,698 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $11,376/year ($15,576/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $14,246/year, or roughly $56,984 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $9,815/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,936/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $15,650, which works out to about $166 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($35,400) and comes to 0.44, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,815 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,445 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,861 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,245 |
| $110,001+ | $18,936 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 bracket pay $9,815 per year - $39,260 over four years. Electrical engineering and chemical engineering graduates at $39,260 total investment against $60,000-$73,000 year-one earnings achieve near-instant payback. The 57.7% completion rate is the caveat.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $13,861 per year - $55,444 over four years. This is a very low cost for a four-year engineering degree. Teacher Education at $14,566 median debt against a $14,246 annual net price is the clearest alignment between cost and program in TTU's data.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,001+ pay $18,936 per year - $75,744 over four years. At this cost, engineering, CS, and nursing graduates see payback periods under 2 years in several cases. Students in lower-earning fields (fine arts, family sciences, communication) face a weaker case, but the absolute cost is low enough to limit downside risk.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Tennessee Technological University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education | $43,264 | B |
| Computer Science | $90,521 | B+ |
| Registered Nursing | $71,762 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,267 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,530 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,642 | C+ |
| Biology | $49,220 | C |
| Civil Engineering | $78,646 | B+ |
| Sociology | $42,830 | C+ |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | $77,658 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering is TTU's strongest documented program: 29 graduates, $73,453 year-one and $94,179 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.273 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $20,034 is low against these earnings. At a $14,246 net price, this program's payback period is under 2 years - an exceptional return for any engineering school. The small cohort (29 graduates) may limit the statistical confidence, but the earnings data is internally consistent.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering had 34 graduates at $60,300 year-one and $91,580 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.224 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $13,500 is the lowest among Tennessee Tech's reported engineering programs. Tennessee's chemical manufacturing and energy industries provide strong placement for ChE graduates. The A grade is well-deserved.
Mechanical Engineering
Debt-to-earnings of 0.310 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $20,500 is modest. Tennessee's automotive and manufacturing clusters - Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Nissan in Smyrna, Amazon fulfillment operations - provide direct employer demand for mechanical engineering graduates from TTU's geographic catchment.
Computer Science
Computer Science had 129 graduates at $63,180 year-one and $90,521 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.294 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $18,605 is low. The year-four figure of $90,521 reflects CS graduates who have advanced to senior engineering roles.
Registered Nursing
Nursing had 120 graduates at $61,379 year-one and $71,762 year-four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.299 (ROI grade B+). Median debt is $18,349. Year-one earnings of $61,379 reflect the Tennessee rural healthcare market, which runs below coastal market rates.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.1% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.3% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Tennessee Technological University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 520-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 528-650 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-27 |
| Enrollment | 8,698 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,427 |
TTU admits 76.1% of applicants with ACT 20-27 mid-range. The wide ACT range (7 points) reflects the breadth of the admitted class. Students targeting specific programs should inquire about program-level academic standards and completion rates, as they will differ from the 57.7% institutional figure.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Technological University (this school) | 55 | $14,246 | $48,501 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| University of Idaho | 59 | $14,831 | $54,670 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | 54 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
| Austin Peay State University | 36 | $9,735 | $44,301 |
| East Tennessee State University | 35 | $15,983 | $44,859 |
Who Thrives Here
Tennessee Tech enrolls 8,698 students in Cookeville, Tennessee. Admission rate is 76.1%, with SAT Math 520-660 and Reading 528-650 mid-ranges; ACT composite 20-27. The Pell grant rate of 30.9% indicates moderate low-income representation. Students who are specifically targeting engineering, computer science, or nursing and have academic preparation in those fields should view TTU's data through its program-level lens, not the institutional average. The Cookeville campus is rural Tennessee - students seeking urban amenities or metropolitan employer access will find limitations, though the region's manufacturing and tech employment base is growing.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for Tennessee Technological University is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $14,246 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $48,501 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 14.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What it has going for it: manageable debt relative to earnings. What to keep an eye on: a long payback period.
Median debt of $15,650 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $35,400 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Tennessee Technological University: Common Questions
Is Tennessee Technological University worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. Tennessee Technological University scores 55/100 on our ROI scale. At $14,246 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $48,501 ten years after entry, so it takes about 14.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Tennessee Technological University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $14,246 a year, or roughly $56,984 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Tennessee Technological University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $48,501 ten years after enrolling, roughly $6,701 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Tennessee Technological University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 14.6 years for Tennessee Technological University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Tennessee Technological University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $15,650, against average earnings of $35,400 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Tennessee Technological University?
The six-year graduation rate is 57.7%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.