Computer and Information Sciences at South College

Computer science associate's degrees in Tennessee typically launch graduates into the mid-$30Ks, and similar programs suggest this South College pathway could follow that pattern—with estimated first-year earnings around $35,650. That's solidly in line with the state median but trails programs at Tennessee's community colleges by $6,000 to $8,500. When you're looking at estimated debt near $18,400 versus the $13,200 typical for peer programs in Tennessee, that gap matters: it's roughly $5,000 more borrowed for similar expected outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 sits in manageable territory—you'd be paying back about half a year's salary total. But here's the practical concern: Tennessee community colleges offering this same credential appear to produce stronger earning outcomes while typically leaving students with less debt. Pellissippi State graduates, for instance, earn nearly $9,000 more in their first year. For a family weighing value, that differential compounds quickly when you're both earning less and owing more from the start.

If South College offers something specific—location convenience, scheduling flexibility, or support services that matter for your student's success—those factors deserve weight in this decision. But purely on the estimated financial return, comparable programs in Tennessee's community college system appear to offer a clearer path to launch a tech career without the same debt burden.