Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Computer Science program in Tennessee means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 23 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Vanderbilt University leads on selectivity (6% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Tennessee's Computer Science programs, the typical in-state price is $25,353 and the average graduation rate is 54%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $35,092 within one year of completing their degree.
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| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Elite· 51 | 6% | 93% | $6,211 | $122,244 | 7:1 | 51 | 7,143 |
| 2 | Rhodes CollegePrivate | Excellent· 45 | 50% | 82% | $16,317 | $60,225 | 11:1 | 33 | 1,931 |
| 3 | The University of the SouthPrivate | Excellent· 44 | 51% | 82% | $18,421 | $34,203 | 9:1 | 33 | 1,598 |
| 4 | Union UniversityPrivate | Great· 38 | 47% | 71% | $25,531 | $53,098 | 8:1 | 60 | 1,637 |
| 5 | Lincoln Memorial UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 59% | 54% | $19,591 | $54,326 | 9:1 | 35 | 1,487 |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvillePublic | Strong· 36 | 46% | 74% | $18,820 | $70,193 | 18:1 | 99 | 28,763 |
| 7 | Le Moyne-Owen CollegePrivate | Strong· 36 | 97% | 25% | $9,198 | — | 9:1 | 25 | 571 |
| 8 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 70% | 60% | $20,830 | $39,739 | 9:1 | 36 | 783 |
| 9 | Christian Brothers UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 88% | 56% | $12,547 | $50,114 | 9:1 | 60 | 953 |
| 10 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 67% | 69% | $23,820 | $45,943 | 13:1 | 75 | 3,021 |
| 11 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityPublic | Strong· 34 | 68% | 54% | $12,840 | $57,653 | 17:1 | 72 | 16,115 |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaPublic | Strong· 34 | 77% | 53% | $12,478 | $59,567 | 17:1 | 47 | 9,878 |
| 13 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 68% | 46% | $17,326 | $42,215 | 12:1 | 64 | 1,374 |
| 14 | Tennessee Technological UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 83% | 54% | $14,405 | $63,180 | 16:1 | 41 | 8,495 |
| 15 | Tennessee State UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 93% | 33% | $11,079 | $50,628 | 13:1 | 34 | 6,498 |
| 16 | The University of Tennessee-MartinPublic | Good· 32 | 87% | 55% | $12,457 | $46,710 | 15:1 | 39 | 4,600 |
| 17 | Austin Peay State UniversityPublic | Good· 31 | 96% | 45% | $16,365 | $40,205 | 15:1 | 40 | 7,365 |
| 18 | University of MemphisPublic | Good· 30 | 93% | 49% | $15,357 | $57,233 | 17:1 | 50 | 13,645 |
| 19 | Southern Adventist UniversityPrivate | Good· 30 | 67% | 51% | $23,907 | $45,366 | 16:1 | 83 | 2,673 |
| 20 | Tusculum UniversityPrivate | Average· 29 | 60% | 31% | $21,842 | $39,705 | 18:1 | 24 | 903 |
| 21 | Bryan College-DaytonPrivate | Average· 26 | — | 56% | $15,443 | $38,617 | 13:1 | 32 | 815 |
| 22 | Lane CollegePrivate | Weak· 18 | — | 17% | $23,608 | $25,137 | 17:1 | 16 | 822 |
| 23 | South CollegePrivate | Poor· 16 | — | 37% | $18,193 | $46,134 | 23:1 | 18 | 6,323 |