Tennessee Tech University has tied for the top spot among all public universities in the state, according to Money’s 2025 “Best Colleges in the U.S.” ratings.

The personal finance site explains that colleges and universities were rated on quality of education, affordability and outcomes. From there, each qualifying institution – including 18 in Tennessee – was rated on a five-star scale. Tech earned a rare four-star rating, tying with the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as the top-rated public university in Tennessee.

“As Tennessee Tech looks ahead to welcoming the class of 2029 this fall, our Golden Eagles can walk a little taller knowing they have chosen the number one public university in the state,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “We have always believed that, when you put students first, success follows. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and all our partners who truly make Cookeville Tennessee’s college town.”

Other ranked public universities in the state included East Tennessee State University and the University of Memphis, both earning 3.5 stars. When private institutions are also considered, only Vanderbilt University and King University bested Tech’s four-star rating.

Tech also had the lowest 2025-2026 estimated “full price” for attendance – inclusive of tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel and other miscellaneous costs – of all ranked institutions in Tennessee.

According to Money, this year’s “Best College” list, “offers a practical analysis of more than 700 four-year colleges, focusing on affordability and student outcomes to help families make informed decisions about where to spend their tuition dollars.”

The ratings mark the latest in a series of high-profile honors for Tech. Over the past year, U.S. News & World Report named Tech a “top national university,” SmartAsset ranked Tech as the number-one “best value” public university in the state, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education named Tech as a “higher earnings institution” and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission highlighted Tech for holding the highest freshmen retention rate, highest four-year graduation rate and highest incoming student ACT scores among all Locally Governed Institutions (LGIs) in the state in its 2025 Fact Book.

See Money’s full 2025 “Best Colleges in America” ratings at https://money.com/best-colleges/.