The University of Tennessee at Martin was named among 100 colleges and universities nationwide as most likely to earn top honors on President Barack Obama’s upcoming value scorecard. UTM appears at number 70 on the list and is the only Tennessee college or university listed.
The ranking was released by AffordableCollegesOnline.org, which provides information about affordable higher education options and financial aid information. The complete rankings can be viewed at http://www.
“The president voiced his desire to rank colleges by the value they offer students,” said AC Online founder Dan Schuessler in a news release. “With President Obama’s system still in the planning stages, we decided to create our own rankings based on quantifiable value and affordability metrics.”
AC Online used value metrics to determine the rankings, including net price, student loan default rate, four- and six-year graduation rates, student services and starting salaries for graduates. Each was weighted according to how deeply they illustrate cost savings and career success.
AC Online compiled the list of schools meeting these criteria using data sets produced by the National Center for Educational Statistics, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the Carnegie Classification and PayScale.com.
“We’re pleased for this additional recognition as a university that provides high value for the investment in a college degree,” said Dr. Tom Rakes, university chancellor. “This independent ranking further assures that students attending UT Martin are receiving the most for their educational dollars.”
Earlier this summer, AC Online ranked UTM fifth out of 54 colleges in most affordable online-degree programs. In August, AC Online ranked the university’s online MBA program third among the nation’s best online MBA programs.
