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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Tennessee

8 Colleges in the United States
543 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$64,829 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 58 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $78,009. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Vanderbilt University

2

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 182 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $65,756 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for The University Of Tennessee

3
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

A rank of #3 makes Milligan College one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 10 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Milligan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Milligan College earn around $64,327 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,150. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Milligan College

4

Tennessee Technological University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 136 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $66,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Tennessee Technological University

5

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Christian Brothers University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 12 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Christian Brothers University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $71,112 in their early career. Christian Brothers University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Christian Brothers University

6
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University came in at #6 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 20 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $67,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Lipscomb University

7

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates 50% of students within six years. About 39 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $66,517. Students borrow a median of $24,904 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

8

University Of Memphis landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Memphis earn around $69,386 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Memphis

9

The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates 52% of students within six years. About 13 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at The University Of Tennessee Martin

10

Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. About 12 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $58,828 early in their careers. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Tennessee State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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