Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Tennessee

The University of Tennessee-Martin stands out with a $10,299 net price that beats every other engineering program in the state by at least $500. This public university maintains an 88% acceptance rate while producing graduates earning $56,415 annually. Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector, including Nissan and General Motors plants, creates steady demand for engineering talent across the state. The $14,000 price gap between the cheapest public option and most expensive private program reflects stark differences in institutional funding models, though graduation rates vary surprisingly little across price points.

Programs

$10,299 – $24,334

Net Price Range

$62,877

Avg. Program Earnings

53.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
2	Christian Brothers University Memphis, Tennessee	$10,896	$37,300	56.0%	87.5%
3	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
4	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
5	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
6	Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, Tennessee	$16,494	$18,900	55.9%
7	Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee	$18,292	$27,840	47.0%	66.2%
8	Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee	$20,082	$25,000	68.4%	91.2%
9	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
10	Maryville College Maryville, Tennessee	$20,986	$38,514	47.2%	69.5%
11	King University Bristol, Tennessee	$23,508	$34,800	46.4%	60.8%
12	Southern Adventist University Collegedale, Tennessee	$24,334	$25,590	51.4%	65.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Christian Brothers University worth considering despite higher costs?

Christian Brothers University charges $10,896 net price but maintains a 56% graduation rate, outperforming several public alternatives. The Memphis location provides access to FedEx headquarters and major logistics companies seeking engineering talent.

How do earnings compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

UT-Martin graduates at $10,299 net cost earn $56,415, while the most expensive programs lack available earnings data. UT-Chattanooga graduates earn $69,338 annually, representing a $12,923 salary premium over the cheapest option.

Is Tennessee Promise beneficial for engineering students?

Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition, allowing students to complete prerequisites affordably before transferring. This strategy can reduce total costs at four-year engineering programs by $8,000 to $15,000.

Where do most engineering jobs exist in Tennessee?

Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga anchor Tennessee's engineering job market through healthcare technology, automotive manufacturing, and logistics industries. The state's lack of income tax increases take-home pay for engineering graduates across all salary levels.

More Engineering, General Rankings

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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.