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Computer Science at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
84
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,180/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (72% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (295,800 openings/yr)
ROI 21.6x earnings multiple (10.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #107 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 $909K $871K $673K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.5x 21.6x 16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.3x 10.8x 8.4x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 73% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 84 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,336
Out-of-state: $80,464 (10.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,828
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,855
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,817
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,180/yr, roughly in line with the $73,713 national median for Computer Science. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 21.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% 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 $63,180 far exceeding the $17,855 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #107 ranking among 345 Computer Science programs places Tennessee Technological University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 47% earnings increase from $63,180 to $92,817 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 8,495 students in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological University →

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 Tennessee Technological University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($73,453) Computer Engineering ($69,291) Mechanical Engineering ($66,228) Civil Engineering ($63,577) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($61,379) Chemical Engineering ($60,300) Engineering Technology, General ($59,622) Music ($44,635)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 84/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Tennessee Technological University?
At 84/100, 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 Tennessee Technological University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →