2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Tennessee
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
Austin Peay State University tops our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $32,416. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #3 place for computer science. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $24,672 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $57,233. That is a strong return on a $24,672 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $57,653. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $122,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #6 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,605 to complete the computer science program here. Computer Science graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $63,180 early in their careers. Set against $18,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #7 for value in computer science this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $46,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #8 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $25,125. Early-career computer science graduates make about $68,076. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
South College landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $24,533. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from South College generally make around $51,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University landed the #10 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $27,724. Computer Science graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $50,628 early in their careers. Set against $27,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $70,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Adventist University came in at #12 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,300 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #13 among the best values for computer science. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rhodes College earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Students borrow a median of $25,982 to complete the computer science program here. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $60,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
