2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Tennessee
Mechanical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $78,009 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Vanderbilt University
The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #2. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 241 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $65,756 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Tennessee
Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #3. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 138 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $66,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Tennessee Technological University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 49 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $66,517. Students borrow a median of $24,904 to complete this degree.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 12 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Lipscomb University earn around $67,725 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Lipscomb University
University Of Memphis placed #6 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Memphis awarded about 65 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $69,386. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Memphis
Christian Brothers University came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Christian Brothers University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $71,112 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Christian Brothers University
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 13 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $40,400 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,770.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at The University Of Tennessee Martin
Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Tennessee State University awarded about 12 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $58,828. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Tennessee State University
More Mechanical 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 a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.
- 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.
