Tennessee Tech University has once again been recognized as Tennessee's top public university by personal finance website Money, earning the highest rating of any public institution in the state in the publication's newly released 2026 "Best Colleges in America" guide.
Tech received a rare four-star rating. Public universities earning 3.5-star ratings included East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and the University of Memphis. Tech also posted the second-highest graduation rate among Tennessee's public universities included in this year's ratings.
Among all public and private colleges and universities in Tennessee, only Vanderbilt University received a higher rating.
"This recognition reflects what we've known for a long time: Tennessee Tech offers students an exceptional education, outstanding value and the personalized support they need to succeed," said Tech President Phil Oldham. "College students are savvy consumers, and they are looking for a university experience that combines academic excellence, a vibrant campus life, strong career outcomes and the sense that they are known and cared about by their faculty and staff. That is exactly who we are at Tennessee Tech."
According to Money, the 2026 "Best Colleges" ratings evaluate four-year colleges using 25 measures, including graduation rates, costs, financial aid, student debt and alumni salaries, to help students and families identify institutions that deliver strong educational value.
The latest recognition comes amid a banner year for the university. Earlier this spring, Tech celebrated the largest commencement ceremony in university history and earned the rare distinction of receiving a second consecutive reaffirmation of accreditation with zero recommended changes from its institutional accreditor.
Tech continues to accept applications for admission for the fall 2026 semester. Prospective students can learn more and apply for admission at www.tntech.edu/apply.
See Money’s full 2026 "Best Colleges" ratings at www.money.com/best-colleges/.