The Princeton Review has named University of Tennessee in Knoxville as “one of the nation’s best-value colleges for students seeking a great education at a relatively affordable price,” a recent announcement said.¶
According to the announcement, the university was among 209 schools included in Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges list, based on data relating to academics, cost and graduation rates and administrator surveys at more than 650 colleges in 2023 and 2024.“Being ranked as one of the country’s best value colleges is a testament to our commitment to providing outstanding education at an affordable cost,” UT’s Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick said in a public statement. “We take enormous pride in all the ways we embody our volunteer values and provide access to a world-class and comprehensive college experience for tomorrow’s leaders.”¶
In addition to administrator surveys, the Princeton Review made use of data from student surveys and alumni surveys on payscale.com, which asked respondents about their salaries and overall job satisfaction. The announcement noted that the survey's findings helped UT earn a “return-on-investment” (ROI) rating score of 88 out of 99. The university was also recognized for its academic programming, student body and campus life, according to the announcement.¶
Students quoted in UT’s profile said the “school spirit is unmatched and the energy the stadiums and teams bring to campus is unparalleled” and cited the university’s “outstanding, passionate, intelligent professors, who are compelling and excited to teach.”¶
“The schools we chose as our Best Value Colleges for 2024 are a select group: they comprise only about 8 percent of the nation’s four-year undergraduate institutions,” Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, said in a public statement. “We commend their administrators, faculties, staff and alumni for all they are doing to educate their students and guide them to success in their careers. These colleges are also exceptional for the generous amount of financial aid they award to students with need and/or for their comparatively low cost of attendance.”¶
