2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in Tennessee

[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
Pellissippi State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools in Tennessee. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $61,687. Set against $6,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $12,674. Engineering Technology graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Chattanooga State Community College one of the best values for engineering technology. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,865 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $52,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson State Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,740, compared with $17,724 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $8,553. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $61,123. That is a strong return on a $8,553 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at Cleveland State Community College, which ranked #5. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $40,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University placed #6 among the best values for engineering technology. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $26,679 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $62,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Memphis came in at #7 for value in engineering technology this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,600 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $61,465. That is a strong return on a $27,600 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $28,327 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $60,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #9 for value in engineering technology this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University earned the #10 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $56,551. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.