2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Tennessee
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Chattanooga State Community College, our #1 best value for general engineering in Tennessee. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #4. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $63,746. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the general engineering program here. General 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. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
