Rankings / By State
Best Data 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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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $31,670 at the low end to $91,565 at the top. That 2.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Pellissippi State Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $38,440 against $4,983 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Southwest Tennessee Community College, at $4,754 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Vanderbilt University graduates 93% of its students, well above the 48% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Vanderbilt University: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Southwest Tennessee Community College ($4,754/yr) and Fisk University ($32,020/yr) produce graduates earning $34,071 and $45,454 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $27,266 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Pellissippi State Community College outperforms Vanderbilt University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Vanderbilt University graduates 93% of its students versus 18% at Lane College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Pellissippi State Community College and Vanderbilt University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. 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 Data 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
Data Insight
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
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Across the 24 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $47,063 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 51%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $14,256 a year, with about $20,631 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 35% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $47,063 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
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 Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields today, and many students are considering colleges in Tennessee for their education. With an average earnings potential of $47,378 for graduates in this state, these programs offer a promising pathway for students looking to enter a lucrative career.
What sets the strongest programs apart in this ranking are the outcomes that really matter: graduation rates, earnings, student debt, and overall program concentration. For example, schools like Vanderbilt University not only have a high graduation rate of 93%, but they also boast impressive average earnings of $91,565. This list below reflects these key metrics, helping prospective students weigh their options effectively.
Take Vanderbilt University and Rhodes College, for instance. While Vanderbilt graduates can expect to earn $91,565, Rhodes graduates earn $66,651, showing a significant gap in post-graduation earnings. However, Rhodes College has a lower net price at $28,585 compared to Vanderbilt’s $15,846, which might appeal to students weighing financial considerations alongside potential earnings.
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
When evaluating programs, it's crucial to recognize patterns in the data. For instance, Vanderbilt University stands out not just for its high average earnings of $91,565 but also for its outstanding graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, Christian Brothers University has a graduation rate of only 55% and average earnings of $57,478, illustrating how completion rates can impact post-graduation success.
After reviewing the data, consider how it aligns with your own priorities. Think about the specific financial implications of each school’s net price versus average debt. A school may have a lower net price, but if the debt load is high, it could affect your financial stability after graduation. Examine each school’s culture and location, too, as these factors will play a significant role in your college experience.
Ultimately, these statistics are more than just numbers; they reflect the real-world decisions families face. Choosing the right program can lead to a stable career and financial security. One family’s choice to attend Vanderbilt could mean higher earnings and less financial strain, while another’s decision to go with Rhodes College might offer a more manageable cost without sacrificing too much on future earnings.
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 Data Science Colleges in Tennessee: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Tennessee ranking? +
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data 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 Data 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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