Cookeville, TN · Private University
Is Tennessee Technological University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$48,501
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,084
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,116
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$80,464
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.41x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
54.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,650
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,207
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Tennessee Technological University graduates earn $3,501 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Tennessee Technological University ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
66 graduates
68 graduates
157 graduates
105 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Tennessee Technological University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Tennessee Technological University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $93,053) and the lowest (History: $34,200) is $58,853/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $93,053 | 4.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,359 | 4.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $81,456 | 4.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,608 | 4.0x |
| Computer Science | $78,615 | 3.9x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $71,825 | 3.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,932 | 3.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,027 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,706 | 2.7x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,710 | 2.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,735 | 2.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $46,825 | 2.3x |
| Biology, General | $44,849 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $43,953 | 2.2x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $42,869 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,320 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $39,681 | 2.0x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $38,769 | 1.9x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $38,326 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $38,054 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,920 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $37,013 | 1.8x |
| Music | $36,814 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,767 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $34,296 | 1.7x |
| HistoryLowest | $34,200 | 1.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Tennessee Technological University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $48,501 10 years after starting — $3,501 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 6 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.