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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat Christian Brothers University this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,112. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,770. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $29,489. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $58,828 early in their careers. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,904. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,517. Set against $24,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $69,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
Tennessee Technological University earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $66,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #7 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $78,009. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College came in at #9 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,327. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,725. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
