Tennessee · Mechanical Engineering

Best institutions to study Mechanical Engineering in Tennessee

Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…

Institutions
11
offering CIP 14.19
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
643
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$66,517
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
8
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,143
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Mechanical Engineers
$104,790
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 8 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Vanderbilt University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$78,0098394%$14,854$14,000
2Christian Brothers University
Memphis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$71,1121255%$11,063$27,000
3University of Memphis
Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree
$69,3866551%$27,500
4Lipscomb University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$67,7251272%$24,309$27,000
5The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree
$66,5174950%$24,904
6Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville Public · Bachelor's degree
$66,22813858%$20,500
7The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree
$65,75624174%$23,250
8Tennessee State University
Nashville Public · Bachelor's degree
$58,8281234%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+9.1%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~18,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$102,320
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingScienceMathematicsActive Learning

What Mechanical Engineers earn in Tennessee

Jobs in Tennessee
3,930
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$104,790
median $99,550
Best-paying metro
$111,520
Chattanooga, TN-GA

Related careers

Cost Estimators
$79,960 avg · 4,340 jobs
Mechanical Engineers
$104,790 avg · 3,930 jobs
Aerospace Engineers
$122,320 avg · 610 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Tennessee.

Which Mechanical Engineering program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Vanderbilt University tops the list at $78,009. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Tennessee?+

The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Tennessee is $104,790 (median $99,550), across about 3,930 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Mechanical Engineering program?+

Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, science, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers?+

The national job outlook is about +9.1% growth with around 18,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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