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Computer & Information Sciences · Computer Science Rank #126 of 345

Computer Scienceat The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Graduates earn $59,567/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Computer Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $839K; scenarios range from $655K to $874K depending on AI disruption.

Chattanooga, TN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
82 STRONG
83
Optimistic
75
Pessimistic
Earnings
$59,567
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$839K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$655K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple16.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$839K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple20.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$874K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score83/100
Earnings Multiple21.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
6
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Science

How University of Tennessee-Chattanooga stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Institute of Technology
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$173K
1-yr earn
5.9x
ROI
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$171K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$154K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$153K
1-yr earn
7.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$152K
1-yr earn
8.3x
ROI
Also at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Other top programs at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Science at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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.