[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering-related fields schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Christian Brothers University, our #1 best value for engineering-related fields in Tennessee. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,576 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $67,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,576 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #3 place for engineering-related fields. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,500. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $60,284. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
More Engineering-Related Fields Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
