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Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $66,228/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (10.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #133 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mechanical Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$842K	$805K	$692K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.9x	19.9x	17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.5x	10.0x	8.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,336

Out-of-state: $80,464 (10.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,828

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,000

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,130

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $66,228 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 19.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $19,000 in median debt against $66,228 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #133 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Tennessee Technological University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 33% earnings increase from $66,228 to $88,130 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University?

At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Technological University?

The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →