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Computer Science at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
82
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,567/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (11.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #126 of 345 Computer Science programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $874K $839K $655K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.5x 20.7x 16.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.0x 11.5x 9.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 82 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,576
Out-of-state: $72,832 (11.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,268
-26% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,975
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,444
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,567 place The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga below the $73,713 national median for Computer Science — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 20.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 25% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Computer Science career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $59,567 far exceeding the $21,975 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #126 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 48% earnings increase from $59,567 to $88,444 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 345 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

California Institute of Technology ($173,344) Carnegie Mellon University ($171,264) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($154,492) Cornell University ($152,656) Harvard University ($152,251) Brown University ($151,065) University of California-Berkeley ($149,866) Princeton University ($146,624)

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,273) Mechanical Engineering ($66,517) Civil Engineering ($65,419) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,273) Engineering-Related Fields ($60,284) Chemical Engineering ($57,952) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,308) Design and Applied Arts ($41,968)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
At 82/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Science at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
The 72% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga a good choice for Computer Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →