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Mechanical Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,756/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #177 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs

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	$873K	$832K	$711K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.2x	15.4x	13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.8x	6.5x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	70	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,936

Out-of-state: $127,896 (6.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,436

-34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$90,860

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,756/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,756 far exceeding the $23,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #177 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $65,756 to $90,860 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

A 46% admission rate makes The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 28,763 in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Mechanical Engineering careers?

With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $711,390 in decade earnings vs $873,474 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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