University listed among best buys

Posted: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 6:00 pm

The Messenger 11.07.12

The University of Tennessee at Martin is listed for the seventh consecutive year among America’s 100 Best College Buys, a listing compiled by Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc.
UTM is among three public Tennessee higher education institutions listed.
“Providing a high-quality educational environment at the lowest possible cost is the result of planning and efficiency,” said Lewis Lindsey Jr., IRE president. “The University of Tennessee at Martin consistently offers programs that attract the best students to an affordable, quality educational opportunity.”
To be considered for the designation “America’s 100 Best College Buys,” an institution must be an accredited, four-year institution offering bachelor’s degrees. The institution must also offer full residential facilities, including residence halls and dining services.
Additionally, the institution must have an entering freshman class in fall 2011 with a high school grade point average and/or SAT/ACT score equal to or above the national average for entering college freshmen. Also, the out-of-state cost of attendance in 2012-13 for three quarters or two semesters must be below the national average cost of attendance or not exceed the national average cost by more than 10 percent.
Dr. Tom Rakes, UT Martin chancellor, noted higher education institutions are challenged more than ever to provide an affordable education that prepares students to compete in global economy.
“We strive to offer educational programs that are both affordable and educate students for the competitive job market,” Rakes said. “The university’s recent recognition for student satisfaction and high graduation rates compared to other state colleges and universities reaffirms the value of a UT Martin degree.”
The 2011-12 Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book ranked UT Martin first in the state among public universities for student satisfaction and second in the state for the university’s six-year graduation rate.

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