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Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $58,828/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #291 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	$637K	$621K	$562K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.6x	18.1x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	7.0x	6.3x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	58	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,272

Out-of-state: $89,136 (7.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,104

-17% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,828 place Tennessee State University below the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.1x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #291 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Tennessee State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,498 students in Nashville, TN. 52% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee State 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee State University?

This program scores 58/100 — 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 $561,772 in decade earnings vs $637,115 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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