Best value colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee.2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Mechanical Engineering program in Tennessee means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 11 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Vanderbilt University leads on selectivity (6% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Tennessee's Mechanical Engineering programs, the typical in-state price is $25,518 and the average graduation rate is 61%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $33,847 within one year of completing their degree.
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ranked by value score
| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Elite· 51 | 6% | 93% | $6,211 | $78,009 | 7:1 | 51 | 7,143 |
| 2 | Union UniversityPrivate | Great· 38 | 47% | 71% | $25,531 | $53,098 | 8:1 | 60 | 1,637 |
| 3 | Strong· 36 | 46% | 74% | $18,820 | $65,756 | 18:1 | 99 | 28,763 | |
| 4 | Strong· 35 | 88% | 56% | $12,547 | $71,112 | 9:1 | 60 | 953 | |
| 5 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 67% | 69% | $23,820 | $67,725 | 13:1 | 75 | 3,021 |
| 6 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 70% | 60% | $20,830 | $39,739 | 9:1 | 36 | 783 |
| 7 | Strong· 34 | 77% | 53% | $12,478 | $66,517 | 17:1 | 47 | 9,878 | |
| 8 | Good· 33 | 93% | 33% | $11,079 | $58,828 | 13:1 | 34 | 6,498 | |
| 9 | Good· 33 | 83% | 54% | $14,405 | $66,228 | 16:1 | 41 | 8,495 | |
| 10 | Good· 32 | 87% | 55% | $12,457 | $38,328 | 15:1 | 39 | 4,600 | |
| 11 | University of MemphisPublic | Good· 30 | 93% | 49% | $15,357 | $69,386 | 17:1 | 50 | 13,645 |