Analysis
Tennessee's computer science programs typically produce first-year earnings around $59,567, which is where similar programs suggest Union graduates land—about $11,400 below the national median for CS degrees. With estimated debt of $25,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of gross salary. The bigger concern isn't debt burden but earning potential: this figure trails significantly behind what CS graduates from UT-Knoxville ($70,193) and even Tennessee Tech ($63,180) command in the market.
Computer science remains one of the most reliably lucrative bachelor's degrees, so even at the lower end of Tennessee's range, graduates should find themselves employable with reasonable debt loads. However, the $11,000+ gap between Union's peer-program estimates and the national CS median represents real money—compounded over a career, that initial earning difference matters substantially. For a family paying private school tuition at Union, the value proposition depends heavily on what the smaller, faith-based environment offers beyond career outcomes alone.
The lack of reported data for Union's specific program means we're working with Tennessee state averages rather than this school's actual track record. If Union's CS program significantly outperforms or underperforms state norms, these estimates won't capture that reality. Request placement data and alumni outcomes directly from the department before committing.
Where Union University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer science bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Computer Science bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,450 | $59,567* | — | $25,000* | — | |
| $63,946 | $122,244* | $164,139 | $14,500* | 0.12 | |
| $13,484 | $70,193* | $90,584 | $16,750* | 0.24 | |
| $10,084 | $63,180* | $78,615 | $18,605* | 0.29 | |
| $54,892 | $60,225* | — | $25,982* | 0.43 | |
| $10,144 | $59,567* | $77,869 | $25,125* | 0.42 | |
| National Median | — | $70,950* | — | $23,374* | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer science graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Information Security Analysts
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Union University, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.