Best colleges for Computer Science in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Tennessee Technological University are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in Tennessee by graduate earnings. Vanderbilt University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $122,244, College Scorecard. Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and University of Memphis award the most Computer Science degrees in Tennessee: 281, 224 and 201 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Tennessee colleges offer Computer Science and award 1,320 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
Top 9 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $122,244 | 281 | 94% | $14,854 | $14,500 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,193 | 224 | 74% | — | $16,750 |
| 3 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,180 | 170 | 58% | — | $18,605 |
| 4 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,225 | 40 | 85% | $19,854 | $25,982 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,567 | 96 | 50% | — | $25,125 |
| 6 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,653 | 138 | 54% | — | $21,500 |
| 7 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,233 | 201 | 51% | — | $24,672 |
| 8 | Tennessee State University Nashville Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,628 | 33 | 34% | — | $27,724 |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,710 | 10 | 53% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Science degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 281 | $122,244 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 224 | $70,193 |
| 3 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 201 | $57,233 |
| 4 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | 170 | $63,180 |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 138 | $57,653 |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 96 | $59,567 |
| 7 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit | 40 | $60,225 |
| 8 | Tennessee State University Nashville Public | 33 | $50,628 |
| 9 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 10 | South College Knoxville Private for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 14 Tennessee colleges offering Computer Science
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| The University of the South | Sewanee | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin | Public | 10 |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Lane College | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Tusculum University | Greeneville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).
Top skills
What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+
Vanderbilt University (281 graduates a year), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (224 graduates a year) and University of Memphis (201 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Tennessee colleges offer Computer Science.
What is the best college for Computer Science in Tennessee?+
By graduate earnings, Vanderbilt University leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in Tennessee, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $122,244, College Scorecard. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Tennessee Technological University follow. By degrees awarded, Vanderbilt University is the largest, with 281 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Science program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Vanderbilt University tops the list at $122,244. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Tennessee is $116,810 (median $108,830). Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Science program?+
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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