Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
- 24
- Schools
- $48,264
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,279
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,520
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 24 schools run from $31,670 to $91,565, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Pellissippi State Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $38,440 in median earnings against $4,983 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Southwest Tennessee Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $4,754 a year in net price.
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Vanderbilt University graduates 93% of its students, versus a 48% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Vanderbilt University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.15× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Southwest Tennessee Community College costs $4,754 a year and Fisk University costs $32,020. Yet their graduates earn $34,071 and $45,454, nowhere near the $27,266 price gap.
- On value, Pellissippi State Community College beats Vanderbilt University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Vanderbilt University finishes 93% of students while Lane College finishes 18%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Pellissippi State Community College and Vanderbilt University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $47K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Vanderbilt University #1 overall | $91,565 ▲ +90% vs avg | $15,846 | 93% | 85 |
| 2 Rhodes College #2 overall | $66,651 ▲ +38% vs avg | $28,585 | 83% | 74 |
| 3 Tennessee Technological University #3 overall | $48,501 ▲ +0% vs avg | $14,246 | 56% | 74 |
| $57,478 ▲ +19% vs avg | $9,854 | 55% | 73 | |
| $49,378 ▲ +2% vs avg | $16,813 | 54% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee
This analysis ranks 24 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,264 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $15,279.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Pellissippi State Community College — Net Price: $4,983 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Vanderbilt University — 93% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Vanderbilt University — Median alumni earnings: $91,565
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$47,063
Median earnings (10yr)
51%
Median graduation rate
$14,256
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
The median graduation rate across these 24 schools is 51%. Median graduate earnings reach $47,063 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $14,256 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,631. Some 35% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.3%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $47,063 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Vanderbilt University lands at #1 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 90% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Rhodes College lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $66,651 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,585 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Tennessee Technological University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $48,501 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,246 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Christian Brothers University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,478 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,854 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Trevecca Nazarene University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $49,378 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,813 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
The University of the South lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $64,911 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,872 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Austin Peay State University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,301 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,735 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Middle Tennessee State University lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $48,541 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,359 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Union University lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,990 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,171 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Volunteer State Community College lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,150 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,802 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
East Tennessee State University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,859 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,983 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Pellissippi State Community College lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,440 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,983 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Milligan University lands at #13 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $46,641 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,365 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
King University lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,831 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,347 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Northeast State Community College lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,553 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Fisk University lands at #16 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,020 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Nashville State Community College lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $38,519 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,777 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chattanooga, TN · 81% accepted · $14,265 net
Why it ranks #18
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga lands at #18 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,151 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Freed-Hardeman University lands at #19 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,485 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Carson-Newman University lands at #20 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,382 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,251 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #21 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $35,594 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,099 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Jackson State Community College lands at #22 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (28/100). Graduates earn a median $35,224 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,236 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Lane College lands at #23 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,670 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southwest Tennessee Community College lands at #24 with a 49/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (25/100). Graduates earn a median $34,071 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,754 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 24 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →When considering a degree in computer science, prospective students often look for schools that not only offer strong programs but also lead to good job prospects. In Tennessee, a set of colleges stands out for their focus on outcomes like graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. For instance, graduates from these programs earn an average of $47,378 annually after completing their degrees.
The most effective computer science programs in this state are defined by their ability to combine high graduation rates with manageable debt levels and promising earnings. As you scroll through the rankings below, pay attention to key metrics such as net price, average debt, and graduation rates. These factors will help you gauge the return on investment for each program.
For example, Vanderbilt University leads the list with impressive earnings of $91,565 and a graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, Christian Brothers University offers a lower earning potential at $57,478, along with a graduation rate of only 55%. This comparison highlights the trade-offs that might arise when evaluating programs based on specific outcomes.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 18 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Christian Brothers University leads the group at 2.6%, with Tennessee Technological University (2.3%) and Union University (2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Southwest Tennessee Community College leads at 19.3%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 19.8% across this list. Vanderbilt University posts the highest success rate at 59.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.33 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Vanderbilt University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals a clear pattern: Vanderbilt University stands out not only for its high earnings but also for its graduation rate of 93%. In comparison, Tennessee Technological University has a graduation rate of just 56% and lower average earnings of $48,501. This stark difference underscores the importance of graduation rates in determining long-term financial success after college.
As you sift through these 21 schools, think about what matters most to you in a college experience. Is it the school’s location, the specific computer science program, or the campus culture? Weigh these factors against the financial metrics provided. Finding the right balance can lead to both academic success and personal satisfaction.
Ultimately, this data reflects the real stakes involved in choosing a college. The decision to pursue a degree in computer science can set a family on a stable financial path. For example, a graduate from Vanderbilt is positioned for a significantly higher starting salary, which can ease the burden of student debt. As we make these decisions, let’s focus on what will help us build a fulfilling life ahead.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $91,565 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Vanderbilt University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $91,565 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,264 average across the 24 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Pellissippi State Community College leads: graduates earn a median $38,440 against net price of about $4,983 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Vanderbilt University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93%, compared with a 48% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,279 a year across the 24 ranked schools with cost data. Southwest Tennessee Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,754. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 24 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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