2027 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in Tennessee
[General Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering technology students.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools
For return on investment in general engineering technology, no school beat Pellissippi State Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,685 in student loans. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $61,687. Set against $6,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia State Community College one of the best values for general engineering technology. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $44,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $13,865. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $52,531. That is a strong return on a $13,865 median debt.
Jackson State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 general engineering technology graduates is $8,553. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $61,123. Set against $8,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $40,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Peay State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $26,679 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $62,089. Set against $26,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #7 for value in general engineering technology this year. 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $28,327. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $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 earned the #9 position for value in general engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general engineering technology program here. General Engineering Technology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $56,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More General Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
