Engineering-Related Fields at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

UTC's Engineering-Related Fields program graduates start at $60,284—about $8,000 below the national median and roughly $3,500 below Tennessee's state average. Within Tennessee's small pool of three programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing Middle Tennessee State by over $7,000. Perhaps more troubling, earnings barely budge over the first four years, growing just 2% to $61,709, suggesting graduates may be entering roles with limited advancement potential.

The debt burden of $25,500 is manageable in absolute terms—slightly above the national median but higher than Tennessee's typical debt load for this field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates can theoretically pay off loans within about six months of income, which sounds reasonable. However, this calculation matters less when the underlying earnings lag significantly behind comparable programs and show virtually no growth trajectory.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether access and proximity justify accepting below-average outcomes. If your child needs to stay in the Chattanooga area or values UTC's admission accessibility, the manageable debt softens the blow of modest earnings. But if Middle Tennessee State or out-of-state engineering programs are realistic options, those alternatives appear to offer substantially better financial returns on a similar investment.