Computer and Information Sciences at Lee University

Lee University's computer science bachelor's program sits squarely in the middle of Tennessee's tech education landscape, with estimated first-year earnings around $58,000—matching the state median but trailing the national benchmark of $61,000. Based on comparable programs at similar private institutions nationwide, graduates likely carry about $26,000 in debt, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. That means roughly half a year's salary to repay loans, which falls within reasonable bounds for a technical degree. However, it's worth noting that nearby Strayer and Trevecca graduates are pulling in $8,000-9,000 more annually according to reported data.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes, you're betting on Lee's program performing like peer schools rather than evaluating its specific track record. Computer science programs can vary dramatically in quality—curriculum rigor, internship networks, and employer connections all matter tremendously in this field. Lee's 72% acceptance rate and solid SAT averages suggest reasonable academic standards, but without concrete placement data, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed decision.

If your child is drawn to Lee for non-academic reasons—faith integration, campus culture, small class sizes—the estimated numbers don't raise red flags. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters most, programs with proven outcomes (like those at Strayer or Trevecca) remove the guesswork about what graduates actually earn after investing four years and $26,000 in debt.