Cheapest Chemical Engineering Colleges in Tennessee

Chemical Engineering students in Tennessee face a striking cost divide, with Christian Brothers University offering the lowest net price at $10,896 despite being private, while public options like UT-Knoxville cost $18,109 after aid. This price gap matters in a state where chemical engineers typically earn $59,576 to $73,446 after graduation. Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector, including major plants in Spring Hill and Smyrna, creates steady demand for chemical engineering graduates who understand materials science and process optimization.

Programs

$10,896 – $19,040

Net Price Range

$66,750

Avg. Program Earnings

65.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Chemical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896	$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
2	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
3	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
4	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
5	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Christian Brothers University offer chemical engineering for less than public schools?

Christian Brothers University provides substantial financial aid that reduces the net price to $10,896, making it cheaper than public options like UT-Knoxville at $18,109. The 87.46% acceptance rate suggests less competition for merit-based aid compared to selective programs.

What salary difference exists between Tennessee chemical engineering programs?

Vanderbilt graduates earn the highest at $73,446, while Tennessee Tech graduates start at $59,576, creating a $13,870 annual gap. However, Tennessee Tech's lower debt load of $13,500 versus Vanderbilt's higher costs may offset this difference over time.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Tennessee?

Vanderbilt leads with a 92.7% graduation rate at $19,040 net cost, while more affordable options hover around 53-56% completion rates. UT-Knoxville breaks this pattern with a solid 73.5% graduation rate at moderate cost.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.