Computer Science at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's computer science program starts graduates behind their peers but makes up significant ground over time. First-year earnings of $57,653 trail the national median by nearly $13,000, placing this program in just the 21st percentile nationally. Within Tennessee, however, the picture is less dire—the program sits right at the state median and ranks in the 40th percentile among the state's 22 computer science offerings. The debt load of $21,500 is actually below both state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than most CS programs.

The compelling part of this story is the trajectory: graduates see 32% earnings growth by year four, reaching $76,044. That's substantial acceleration, though it still leaves them well behind UT Knoxville ($70,193 starting) and far from Vanderbilt's elite outcomes. For families prioritizing Tennessee's in-state tuition rates, this program offers solid fundamentals—reasonable debt, steady technical training, and meaningful wage progression. The 68% admission rate and moderate test scores suggest accessibility, though the relatively modest starting salaries indicate graduates may need to build their careers through experience rather than landing elite entry-level roles.

If your student can gain admission to UT Knoxville or Tennessee Tech, those programs offer stronger starting positions. But MTSU's combination of low debt and steady growth makes it a reasonable fallback for Tennessee residents who want computer science credentials without excessive financial risk.