Mechanical Engineering Degree in Knoxville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Knoxville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Knoxville
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Knoxville, TN Overview
While Knoxville has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,300/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Knoxville is approximately $66,300.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,792/yr
Private Tuition
$47,660/yr
Room & Board
$10,300/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,344/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Knoxville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Knoxville's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Knoxville adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Knoxville
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Knoxville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,792 | Private avg: $47,660
Knoxville avg aid: $10,344/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,368
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$36,550
vs HS diploma in Knoxville
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Knoxville
$731,132
Lifetime earnings premium ($807,500) minus total education cost ($76,368)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Knoxville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Knoxville for Mechanical Engineering
University of Tennessee
public
$13,264/yr
$53,056 total
Pellissippi State Community College
public
$4,320/yr
$17,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pellissippi State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Knoxville
Knoxville offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Knoxville Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$72K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$73K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$62K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$70K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$71K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$92K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$64K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$82K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Knoxville
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Knoxville — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Mechanical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Knoxville.