2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Tennessee
[General Civil Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/general-civil-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general civil engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general civil engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Civil Engineering Schools
Leading the list is University Of Memphis, our #1 best value for general civil engineering in Tennessee. 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $64,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $20,870. General Civil Engineering graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $63,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general civil engineering schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $65,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general civil engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Civil Engineering graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Students looking for strong value in general civil engineering will find it at Tennessee State University, which ranked #5. 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 general civil engineering program here. General Civil Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #6 among the best values for general civil engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for general civil engineering graduates is $21,450. Soon after graduation, general civil engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $67,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University placed #7 among the best values for general civil engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. General Civil Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career general civil engineering graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
More General Civil Engineering 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
