Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 8 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 540 recent graduates. Graduates earn $65,094 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $64,585.

Schools in TN

$65,094

TN Avg. Earnings

$64,585

National Avg.

331

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee

Public Schools (5)

$64,270

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (3)

$67,155

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,885 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Mechanical Engineering Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

$69,817

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,605

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 6.3%

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,351

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 66.6%

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$66,377

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,222

Graduates: 168

Acceptance: 46.0%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$60,623

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,497

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 93.4%

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,841

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 77.0%

Christian Brothers University

Memphis, TN · Private

$64,493

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,131

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 88.4%

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public

$66,355

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,943

Graduates: 154

Acceptance: 83.2%

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$64,990

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,601

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 92.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt University ranks #1 for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $69,817 within two years of graduation. There are 8 schools offering Mechanical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in Tennessee?

Mechanical Engineering graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $65,094 within two years of graduation. This is 1% above the national average of $64,585 for this major.

What is the hardest Mechanical Engineering school to get into in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt University is the most selective Mechanical Engineering program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 6.3%. The average acceptance rate across Mechanical Engineering programs in the state is 69.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Mechanical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $67,155 vs $64,270 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 3 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

Mechanical Engineering in Other States

California Texas Pennsylvania New York Ohio Michigan Florida Massachusetts Indiana Connecticut Washington Illinois View All →

Get Mechanical Engineering Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.