2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Chattanooga State Community College this year. 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 $16,500 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,252. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Christian Brothers University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Engineering graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $71,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $71,664 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $66,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $63,746. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $19,578 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,985. That is a strong return on a $19,578 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $58,828. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,043 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $66,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $70,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,167. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $74,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Milligan College placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lipscomb University earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering graduates make about $67,725. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
