Brookings Institute: TTU top-ranked value-added public university in Tennessee

Tennessee Tech University graduates are among the best-prepared in the state for successful careers, according to a study by the Brookings Institute’s Metropolitan Policy Program.

TTU is the top-ranked public university in the state; across all of Tennessee’s four-year institution, it is second to Memphis’ Rhodes College.

“Our graduates leave Tennessee Tech well prepared to be leaders in their fields and make a difference in their communities and careers,” said TTU President Phil Oldham. “Their intelligence and talents are consistently recognized by employers and, increasingly, by various college rankings.”

Payscale.com recognized TTU as providing its students the highest return on investment of any public institution. Its alumni, according to the website, also have the highest mid-career salary potential of any public university graduates in the state.

SmartAsset ranked the university as one of the top three best-value universities and the top public institution in Tennessee. Washington Monthly has said TTU provides the “best bang for your buck” two years in a row.

The Brookings study analyzes graduates’ economic outcomes for thousands of two- and four-year institutions in the country. It looked at graduates’ income, their occupations and loan repayment rates. It also analyzed the value the institutions themselves add, including graduation rates, market value of the skills taught there and other indicators of academic quality.